Patterson Cemetery District
Obits listing
Submitted by Gale Stroud and Burta Herger 26 Aug 2007
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Adelman Edna 951214 p7
Edna Adelman, 86; A graveside service was held Monday morning in Palo Alto for Edna Adelman of Sunnyvale. She
died Dec. 6 at English Oaks Convalescent Hospital in Modesto. She was 86. A native of Utah, she resided in Sunnyvale
for 52 years. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Order of Eastern Star. She
served as worthy matron of the latter organization in 1959. The service was held at Alta Mesa Cemetery in Palo Alto.
Visitation was here Sunday afternoon at Hillview Funeral Chapel. Survivors include a son, Everett Adelman, and a
daughter, Leta Rae Lauret, both of Patterson; eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Kathryn
Salisbury of Riverside and Mable Morgan of Roseville; and a brother, Dale Okelberry of Payson, Utah.
Alvernaz Inez C 950110 p3
Inez C. Alvernaz, 70; A Hilmar resident, Inez Conceicao Alvernaz, died Jan. 1 at Del Puerto Hospital. She was 70.
A native of Sao Caetano, Pico, Azores, she had lived in Merced County the past 40 years and was a homemaker.
She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Hilmar, and S.E.S. No. 18 of Stevinson. A rosary was recited,
Thursday, at Whitehurst Norton Chapel in Turlock. A Mass was celebrated at 1 p.m. Friday at Holy Rosary Church, with
burial in the Hilmar Cemetery following. Survivors include a daughter, Maria Emma Alvernaz of Hilmar, and a sister,
Maria Paulo of Tracy.
Anzaldua Simon A 951107 p12
Simon A. Anzaldua, 38; A 30-year Patterson resident has died at the Stanislaus Medical Center in Modesto. Simon
Armondo Anzaldua, 38, died Nov. 1. He was a general laborer and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A native
of Elsia, Texas, he is survived by his wife, Emestine Anzaldua of Patterson; a son, Simon Anzaldua Jr. of Edmon, Okla;
two daughters, Crystal Anzaldua of Riverside and Mary Elizabeth Anzaldua of Abolin, Texas; one grandchild; five
brothers, Juan Perez Sr. of Patterson, Arnold and Tony Arrambide of Modesto, Armin Arrambide of Dallas, Texas, and
Ariel Rosette of Turlock; a sister, Ida Arrambide of Phoenix, Ariz.; and his mother, Adelatta Arrambide of Patterson. A
rosary was held Friday evening at Sacred Heart Church, where a Mass was celebrated Saturday morning. Burial was in
Patterson District Cemetery.
Ard Jason 951114 p1
2 Die in Separate Vehicle Accidents; Jason Ard, 22, and Victor Oliva, 18, were both killed in car accidents this weekend.
Ard was killed at 12:36 a.m. Sunday while returning from a party in Del Puerto Canyon. Ard was a passenger in a 1987
Oldsmobile Cutlass being driven by David Sanchez, 20, also of Patterson. According to Officer Brown of the California
Highway Patrol, Sanchez was intoxicated when he allowed the car to drift onto the right should of the road. Officers say
Sanchez then overcorrected causing his car to drift onto the left shoulder. It was when he corrected a third time that the
vehicle rolled, landing on its top on the south shoulder of Del Puerto Canyon Road. Sanchez, who remained inside the
vehicle, suffered a broken leg and dislocated hip as well as laceration to his right knee. Sanchez was taken by Air Med to
Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. Thrown from Car Ard was thrown from the vehicle and landed in the middle of Del
Puerto Canyon Road. According to Brown, it is unknown whether he was already dead at this time. A second vehicle, a
1982 Chevy Silverado driven by Janae Bcttencourt, 17, also of Patterson, was also headed east on Del Puerto Canyon
Road, returning from the same party which Ard and Sanchez had attended. Approximately one minute after the initial
accident, the second vehicle approached the site of the accident at 35 to 40 mph. Bettencourt's attention was drawn by the
sight of Sanchez's vehicle on the shoulder and she ran over Ard, Brown explained. "There was no indication that she was
intoxicated." Bettencourt immediately stopped the vehicle and Ard's body was discovered. Ard was pronounced dead on
the scene.
Felony DUI
Sanchez was arrested for a felony charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and then released for further medical
attention. Sanchez has not yet been booked. He may be charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence if it
is determined that Ard was dead before he was ran over by Bettencourt's car. No charges have been filed against
Bettencourt; however the accident is still under investigation.
Second Death
Victor Oliva, 18, was killed in a second accident at 2:55 am. on Monday at the intersection of Crows Landing and
Fulkerth roads in Modesto. Oliva was a passenger in a 1989 Plymouth Colt driven by Nancy Banda, 23, of Modesto.
Banda was eastbound on Fulkerth road when, for unknown reasons, she failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of
Fulkerth and Crows Landing roads. At the same time that Banda failed to yield right-of-way, Frank Guerrero, 29, of Pico
Rivera, was driving a three axle semi northbound on Crows Landing Road. Banda's vehicle somehow found its way
under the near wheels of the truck-tractor and Banda and Oliva were both killed instantly as the vehicle was crushed. The
accident is still under investigation in an effort to determine why Banda did not yield night-of-way at the stop sign. No
charges have been filed against Guerrero. Jason Ard, 22 Jason Kenton Ard was born in Modesto and had lived all his life
in the Patterson area. He was employed by a warehouse. He graduated from Patterson High School, where he had been
active in football, in 1991. A funeral will be held this Thursday at 2 p.m. at Hillview funeral Chapel burial in Patterson
District Cemetery will follow. Survivors include his parents, Joe and Camen Ard of Grayson; a sister, Kristi Ard of
Grayson; and grandparents George and Opal Ard of Modesto.
Armenta Lorenzo G 950808 p1
Van hits tomato truck; A 49-year-old Grayson man was killed Sunday night when the van he was riding in rear ended a
tomato truck. Ronald Glenn Pierce was headed south on River Road when he was rear-ended, at 9:10 p.m. at the
intersection of Hamilton and River roads, by a Ford Air Star van. Pierce was uninjured in the accident. The driver of the
van fled the scene. Police are still searching for the man, who they believe he may be a Tracy resident named Jose.
Lorenzo Gonzalez Armenta, 49, from Grayson, was a passenger in the vans front right seat. He suffered massive head
injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, 35-year old Moses Ramirez of Modesto
received multiple cuts to his face and forehead. He complained of pain in his right side and was taken by Air Modesto
Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. A 3-year-old, Jessica Torres of Vernalis, was also a passenger in the van but was
not injured.
Azevedo Ernest 950103 p10
Ernest Azevedo, 71; A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery at
Santa Nella for Ernest Azevedo of Rohnert Park. He died Dec. 28 in that city. He was 71. A native of Gustine, he served
as a parachutist in World War II and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded in action and was proud of
his military career. His 517th Combat Team met frequently. He was a Greyhound bus driver for many years and retired
as a Golden Gate Transit driver. He was a member of Santa Rosa Post No. 21 of the American Legion. He and his wife
Dorothy helped to found the VFW post in Newman in 1945. They were charter members, and he served as its first
commander while she was the first president of its auxiliary. Visitation will be today, Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at
the Andersen-Keaon Mortuary, 7311 College View Dr., Rohnert Park. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy J. Price
Azevedo, and a son, Tim Azevedo, both of Rohnert Park; two daughters, Kathleen Davis of Garland, Texas, and Sarah
Clement of Oceanside; his mother, Mamie Perriera of Newman; his step-mother, Keena Azevedo of Santa Cruz; three
sisters, Ann Bolich, Lorraine Azevedo and Elva Travis, all of Santa Cruz; two stepbrothers, Kenneth Foster and Melvin
Foster, both of Santa Cruz; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and uncles and aunts John V. Azevedo,
Rosemarie Starcher and Vivian Espy of Patterson, Ann Kionnas of Moronga Valley, and Tony Azevedo of Telmecula.
Azevedo Thomas R 951017 p3
Thomas R. Azevedo, 45; Freelance photographer Thomas Robert Azevedo died last Thursday at his residence in
Modesto. He was 45. A native of Newman, he had resided in Modesto the last 25 years. A memorial service will be
held today, Tuesday, at 10 a.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Patterson. Survivors include his parents, Thomas and Fern
Azevedo of Patterson; two brothers, Michael of Modesto and Rocky Azevedo of Patterson; and a sister, Toni Jurevich of
Turlock. Remembrances should be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 1524 McHenry Ave., Suite 465, Modesto,
Calif. 95350.
Azevedo Tony L 950525 p10
Tony L. Azevedo, 74; Final rites are planned here for Tony Lloyd Azevedo, a lifelong resident of the Patterson area who
died Tuesday at Del Puerto Hospital following a long illness. He was 74. A native of Crows Landing, he was a retired
heavy equipment operator and an Army veteran who served during World WarII, 1941-45. He was a member of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars in Gustine, and Sacred Heart Catholic Church here. A rosary will be recited today, Thursday,
at 7 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel. A Mass at Sacred Heart is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m., with burial in Patterson
District Cemetery to follow. Visitation at the chapel will be from 5-7 p.m. prior to the rosary. Survivors include a
daughter, Sherri Beneda of Riverbank; two brothers, Manuel and Joe Azevedo, both of Patterson; and two sisters, Mary
Cabral of Crows Landing and Mary Ann Brown of Tracy.
Beard Charlotte P 951017 p3
Charlotte P. Beard, 68l; A funeral service will be held Wednesday in Newman for Charlotte Pearl Beard, 68. She died
Sunday at English Oaks Convalescent Hospital in Modesto. She was a retired dry cleaner, and former owner of Modesto
Cleaners in Newman. For a time the business had an outlet in Patterson. She was a native of Missouri and had lived in
Newman for 25 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Newman. A funeral will be held Wednesday at 10
a.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Newman, with burial in Hills Ferry Cemetery to follow. Visitation will be Tuesday
from 5-8 at the chapel. Survivors include her husband, Harold Beard of Newman; three sons, Roy of Modesto and
George and Dennis Beard of Newman; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Louis and
Hoyett Whittaker, both of Modesto.
Becerra Josephina L 950314 p14
Josephina Becerra, 78; A 27-year resident of Patterson, Josephina Lopez Becerra, died last Friday at her Patterson
residence. She was 78. A native of Guadalajara, Mexico, she was a homemaker and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic
Church. A rosary was recited Monday evening at the church, where a Mass will be celebrated today, Tuesday, at 10 a.m..
Burial in Patterson District Cemetery will follow. Survivors include her husband, Cruz Becerra of Patterson; three sons,
Miguel and Jose of Patterson and Luis Becerra of Turlock; three daughters. Angelina Becerra and Lupe Becerra Cruz De
La Rosa, both of Patterson. and Virginia Avila of Mexico; 26 grandchildren, 31 greatgrandchildren, and one
great-greatgrandchild; two brothers, Jacinto and Manuel Lopez, both of Mexico; and a sister, Celia Witrago of Mexico.
Becker Marsha K 950404 p10
Marsha Kay Becker; A funeral service will be held this morning, Tuesday, for Marsha Kay Becker. The 44 year old
Patterson woman died last Thursday at Brandel Manor in Turlock. She had been ill for some time. A native of Holly,
Kansas, she had lived here the past seven years. She was office manager for Elchem Company for five years and was a
member of the Federated Church here. The service will be held at the church at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in
Kansas. Hillview Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include her husband Tony Becker of
Patterson; three children, Brian, Trisha and Natalie Becker, all of Patterson; her father and stepmother, Cortlandt and
Lola Dixon of Dallas, Texas; and a stepsister, Diane Mc Vety of Oklahoma City, Okla. Remembrances should be sent to
Hospice of Turlock, Box 2120, Turlock, Calif. 95381, or to the Becker Family Trust, in care of Westside Bank, 13 Plaza,
Patterson.
Bennett Mary A 951114 p13
Mary A. Bennett, 70; A Newman resident who retired from a position at Patterson Frozen Foods died of injuries received
last Wednesday evening in an auto accident. Mary A. Bennett, a native of Crows Landing who had resided all her life in
the Newman area, was killed in a crash. She was 70. A rosary was recited Monday evening at Hillview Funeral Chapel in
Newman. A Mass is scheduled for today, Tuesday, at 10 a.m. at St. Joachim s Catholic Church in Newman where she
was a member. She had no direct family survivors.
Bettencourt Frank A 951107 p12
Frank A. Bettencourt, 71; A funeral service was held Monday for Frank A. Bettencourt. He died suddenly last
Wednesday in Phoenix, Ariz., while vacationing with his wife Vera. He was 71. A native of Turlock, he was a retired
fireman for that city. He became a reserve fireman in 1952 and a regular six years later. He retired in 1980 as a captain.
He lived in Patterson the past 15 years, and with his wife operated Olde Jailhouse Antiques before closing the Patterson
business. In recent years they continued their business at weekend antique shows. He served in the United States Army
from 1943-45 and was a member of the Fireman's Association, Patterson Lions Club, American Legion Post 88 of
Turlock, the Turlock Knights of Columbus, UPPEC, and an antique study group. A funeral was held Monday morning at
Hillview Funeral Chapel. Private burial followed in the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. Survivors include his
wife, Vera Bettencourt of Patterson; a daughter, Linda Santos of Turlock; two sons, Robert of Denair and Doug
Bettencourt of Oakdale; two stepsons, David and Charles Stewart of Patterson; 15 grandchildren and one
great-grandchild; a brother, Lavine Bettencourt of San Francisco; and a sister, Erldine Feriera of Sacramento.
Remembrances should be sent to United Cerebral Palsy of Stanislaus County, 950 10th St., Suite 8, Modesto, Calif.
95354; the Patterson Lions Club, P.O. Box 452, Patterson; or to the Turlock High School Restoration Fund, 1600 E.
Canal Dr., Turlock, Calif. 95380.
Bledsoe, Blanch F 950110 p3
Blanche Fraser Bledsoe, 90; A six year resident of Patterson died last Friday at Del Puerto Hospital. Blanche A. Fraser
Bledsoe, who turned 90 on Dec. 20, died of natural causes. She was a native of Cleveland, Okla. and was a homemaker.
She enjoyed sewing and did seamstress work in her home. A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at
Hillview Funeral Chapel. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery will follow. Visitation will be today, Tuesday, from 5 to
8 p.m. at the chapel. Survivors include five children, Mabel Guild and Barbara LeCroy, both of Patterson, and Lezlie
Labadi, Jacqueline Fraser and Donald Fraser, all of Arizona; 17 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and nine great-
great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Marguerite Gowen of Ukiah and Edna Summers of Sacramento.
Borba Edward A 951107 p12
Edward A. Borba, 82; A graveside service will be held Wednesday in Newman for Edward A. Borba, 82, who died
Saturday at Brandel Manor in Turlock. He was born in Crows Landing and had lived all of his life in the Newman area.
He was a retired machinist. He was a member of St. Joachim's Catholic Church in Newman. A rosary will be recited
Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Newman. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., also at the chapel. The
graveside service at Hills Ferry Cemetery will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Survivors include his wife, Rita Borba of
Newman; a son, Edward Borba of Prosser, Wash.; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Joe
Borba of Newman. Remembrances should be sent to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 423, Patterson.
Borges Dorothy 950608 p14
Dorothy Borges, 76; Final rites will be held here Friday for Dorothy Borges, 76, who died Tuesday at Del Puerto
Hospital. The Gustine native had lived here the past five years. A rosary will be recited today, Thursday, at 7 p.m. at
Hillview Funeral Chapel. A service is planned at the chapel for Friday at 2:30 p.m., with burial in Patterson District
Cemetery to follow. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the chapel. The homemaker is survived by two sons,
Ralph of Sunnyvale and Raymond Borges of Gridley; two daughters, Elizabeth "Betty" Tripp and Lucille Louton, both of
San Francisco; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Louie Furtado of Gilroy and Manuel
Furtado of Patterson; and three sisters, Delores Barletta of Patterson, Joyce Flock of Whittier, and Genevieve Hess of
Fresno.
Borges Marta L 950214 p1
Woman Killed in Grayson; A 25-year-old woman who lived on the 8600 block of Dos Rios Lane. just outside of
Grayson, was shot and killed Saturday night. According to authorities, Pablo Moreno, a friend of the victim's husband,
came to their trailer Saturday evening to purchase a 357 magnum revolver. Moreno took the revolver outside to test it.
Something then apparently went wrong during the testing and a shot was fired through the wall of the trailers living room.
The victim was struck once in the upper torso at 7:45 p.m. The woman's husband remained with her while Moreno went
to a neighbors home and called 911. The victim was declared dead at the scene. Moreno left the scene before detectives
arrived and is still wanted for questioning. ( Article 2-16-1995 p1 identifies person as Marta Louisa Borges. )
Borges Marta L 950216 p1
Woman ID'd, Shooter Still at Large; Police are still searching for the man responsible for last Saturday's shooting death
of 20 year old Marta Louisa Borges. According to authorities, Pablo Moreno had come to Borges' trailer to purchase a
357 magnum revolver owned by her husband. Shortly after Moreno took the weapon outside to test it, a bullet entered
through the living room wall of the trailer and hit Borges in the upper torso. Moreno went to a neighbor's and called 911
for an ambulance while Borges' husband, Robert Abel Borges, stayed with her. Marta Borges was pronounced dead at
the scene. Pablo Moreno is still wanted by police for questioning. "We haven't filed any charges against him," said
Detective Ed Martinez of the Stanislaus County Sheriffs Department; "Basically, we're looking to talk to him and get his
side of the story."
Brooks Cheryl L 950223 p9
Cheryl Lee Brooks, 46; Cheryl Lee Brooks, a 33 year resident of Patterson. died last Saturday at Del Puerto Hospital
following a long illness. She was 46. She was a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and was a medical transcriber. She had
worked at Memorial Medical Center in Modesto for nine years. A service will be held Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the
Colonial Chapel of Franklin & Downs in Modesto. Visitation will be Friday from 6-9 p.m., at the chapel. Survivors
include her husband, Donald Brooks of Patterson; two stepchildren, Deloris Alonzo of Salida and Neva D. Brooks of
Modesto; four brothers, Dale, Kenneth and Victor Brown, all of Modesto, and Happy Brown of Boot Jack; a sister, Gale
Northcutt of Stockton; her mother, Dolores Brown of Modesto; and her grandmother, Zelphia lnman of Modesto.
Remembrances should be sent to Memorial Hospital Foundation, Oncology, 1329, Spanos Court, Suite C-2, Modesto,
Calif. 95355.
Cantu Dora G 950411 p3
Dora G. Cantu, 19; Joint services will be held here tonight, Tuesday, and Wednesday for three young people killed in an
auto accident on Highway 33 early Saturday morning. A rosary will be recited this evening at 7 o'clock for Dora G.
Cantu, 19; her cousin Brenda Garcia, 18; and Jessica Ramos Nunez, 17. The first two lived in Patterson and graduated
from Patterson High last June, while the third was a resident of Westley and a sophomore at PHS this year. The rosary
will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where a joint Mass for the three will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. Burial
in Patterson District Cemetery will follow. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 p.m., also at the church. Dora Cantu had
served as a mat maid for the PHS wrestling team, and had been a score keeper for the baseball team when she was in high
school. She planned to enroll in college soon. Survivors include her parents, Santiago and Julia Cantu of Patterson; three
brothers, Santiago Jr. and Carlos Cantu of Patterson and Roy Cantu of Salida; a sister, Denise Cantu of Patterson; and a
grandmother, Dora Hernandez of Texas. Brenda Garcia also had lived here all her life, and had kept score for the
wrestling and baseball teams at PHS. She was involved in the 11th annual Hispanic Education Conference, was a
member of the Mundo Latino Club and was a Delta Blood Bank donor. In addition she was to play the part of "Juanita"
in a Cinco de Mayo play at Modesto Junior College early next month and was a member of other organizations at MJC
where she attended school. Her goal was to become a kindergarten teacher. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church.
Survivors include her mother, Santos Garcia of Patterson; her father, Arnulfo D. Garcia of Modesto; a brother, Pedro
Cantu of Patterson; two sisters, Chriselda Garcia of Modesto and Andrea "Lizzie" Velasquez of Patterson; grandparents
Jesus Garcia of Texas and Catarina Garcia of Raymondville, Texas; and other relatives in Patterson, Raymondville,
Houston, and Ogden, Kansas. Jessica Nunez also was a lifelong West Side resident. She is survived by her parents,
Jesus and Virginia Nunez of Westley; a brother, Adan Lopez of Texas; three sisters, Irene Nunez of Modesto, Lisa
Vasquez of Riverbank, and Frances Nunez of Walnut Creek; and her grandparents, Salvador and Maria Hernandez of
Riverbank and Manuel and Guadalupe Pena of Texas.
Caporgnp Chester G 950119 p7
Chester G. Caporgno, 80; Longtime Patterson resident Chester Guido Caporgno died Monday in Loma Linda where he
was a patient in the Linda Valley Care Center. He was 80. A native of San Francisco, he was a retired truck driver who
lived here for many years. He resided in the Patterson and Sonora areas for the past 71 years. Visitation will be from 4-8
p.m. Friday at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Patterson. A grave-side service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at Patterson
District Cemetery. Survivors include two sons, Glen of Patterson and Jerry Caporgno of West Palm Beach, Fla.; a
daughter, Linda Parrish of Loma Linda; and four grandchildren. Remembrances should be made to the Parkinson s
Research Foundation.
Carlson Mary F 950613 p5
Mary Frances Carlson, 87; A graveside service will be held this Saturday at 10 a.m, for former Patterson resident Mary
Frances Carlson. She died June 3 at a skilled care facility in Los Gatos. She was 87. A native of Nebraska, she had lived
in Patterson and Modesto before moving to Campbell. She was a homemaker. She came to California in 1922 and lived
in Patterson from that time until 1974. She and her late husband Frank Edwin Carlson farmed here during that period,
and she then resided in Modesto for 20 years before moving to Campbell in 1994. She was a member of the Senior
Citizens of Modesto. The graveside service will be held at Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson. Salas Brothers
Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include a son, Douglas Carlson of Boise, Idaho; a daughter,
Nancy Palmer of Los Gatos; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Remembrances should be made to
Corinthian House, 250 Budd Ave., Campbell, Calif. 95008.
Caudell Bob G 950824 p8
Bob G. Caudell, 64; A 58-year resident of the Crows Landing area has died at his residence. Bob G. Caudell died
Monday at age 64. He was a native of Howe, OkIa., and a tractor driver for Norman Crow. Visitation will be today,
Thursday, from 5-8 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Newman. . A graveside service wi1I be held Friday at 11 a.m. at
the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. Survivors include two brothers William of Wister, OkIa., and Junior Caudell
of Crows Landing; a sister, Erma Barnes of Gladstone, Mo.; and three stepsisters, Audie Johnson of Poplar, Icie Nylor of
Modesto, and Helen Ollar of Arizona.
Corcoran Martha 950207 p12
Martha Corcorran, 55; A graveside service was held here Monday morning for long time Vernalis area resident Martha
Louise Corcorran. She died Feb. 1 at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. She was 55. She was a native of Arkansas
who had lived in this area the past 40 years and had recently moved to Modesto. She was a homemaker. Survivors
include a son, Jim Hale of Killeen, Texas; a daughter, Mary Stroke of Ceres; two stepsons, Joe Corcorran of San Diego
and Coy Corcorran of California; three grandchildren; and a brother, Frank Hale Jr. of Empire. The service was held at
the Patterson District Cemetery. Hillview Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Crain Krysilynn 950706 p1
Krysilynn Crain; Local Girl Drowns in Freak Accident Second Victim Survives Krysilynn Crain drowned last Saturday
in water that rose no higher than the 9 year old's chest. Described by a friend of the family as an excellent swimmer,
Krysilynn drowned, not in a swimming pool, but in a hot tub when a freak accident held her under the water too long.
Krysilynn was playing in the family hot tub at 16735 Sycamore Ave. when she brushed up against the hole through which
water is pulled from bottom of the spa to be recirculated. "There's a suction that takes water around and recirculates it,"
explained Assistant Fire Chief Allister Allen. "There was no screen on it, and somehow she got her chest down against it
and just couldn't get away."
Help Nearby
Though she was alone in the spa at that moment, there were several other people in the back yard, and mere minutes
passed before someone noticed that she was in trouble.
Krysilynn's father, John Crain, immediately attempted to pull her out. However, according to Krysilynn's uncle, the
suction was so powerful that her father couldn't get her free until someone turned off the hot tub.
She had a large bruise, almost a foot wide, on her chest where she was pulled up against the hole by the suction, said
Fire Chief Dick Gaiser. "It was very powerful." When paramedics arrived on the scene at 6:03 p.m., firefighters were
already attempting to resuscitate Krysilynn using CPR. Paramedics managed to stabilize her, and she was taken by Air
Med to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. At first, the family's hopes for her recovery were high. It wasn't until 11
a.m. on Sunday that they learned the horrible truth. Krysilynn Cram was brain dead. She would have been 10 years old
this October. "She was going to be an organ donor," explained John Cram's brother, Krysilynn's uncle. "She was
always the person who wanted to help everyone, and her parents decided it was what she'd want to do." To her family's
sorrow, however, Krysilynn did not survive long enough for her organs to be donated. Her body died only a few short
hours after she was declared brain dead. During her short life, Krysilynn was active in dance, arts and craft and loved to
play tetherball or go horseback riding. She had completed the fourth grade at Las Palm as Elementary School last month.
Krysilynn was originally from Tracy. Her family moved to Patterson six years ago. Those who knew her described her
as a cheerful, happy little girl.
Service Friday
A funeral for the 9 year old will be held Friday in Sonora where she often stayed with her great-grandparents. The
service will be held at 2 p.m. at the Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home, 225 E. Rose Avenue. Burial in Mt. Shadow
Cemetery, Sonora, will follow. Visitation will be today at the chapel from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Survivors include her
parents, John and Trina Crain of Patterson; a brother, Johnathan Crain of Patterson; a sister, Sarah Crain of Patterson;
grandparents, Louise Crain of Patterson, Electric and Tony Cara of San Jose, and Raymond and Curtis Ingraham of San
Jose; great-grandparents Gus and Pansy Peterson of Sonora and Charles Miller of Hydesville; numerous aunts and uncles
including Travis Crain of Pasadena and Gail Rodgers of Arizona; great uncle and aunt Rich and Judy Ingraham of
Riddell; and great aunts Perla Martin of Sonora and Linda Miller of San Jose.
Crooks Edith 950221 p10
Edith Crooks, 87; Edith Crooks, who lived most of her life in the Patterson area, died Saturday at Del Puerto Hospital.
She was 87. A native of Crows Landing, she moved here with her family when she was 2 years old. She was a
homemaker and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church here. Visitation will be today, Tuesday, from 5-8 p.m. at
Hillview Funeral Chapel. where a funeral service will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. Burial in Patterson District
Cemetery will follow. Survivors include her husband, Casheus Crooks of Oakdale; a son, Arthur Crooks of Oakdale; a
daughter, Geraldine McMillan of Patterson; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Hazel
Wright of Sand Springs, Okla., and Bernice Edwards of Las Vegas, Nev. Remembrances should be sent to the
Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Organization, 400 12th St., Suite 13, Modesto, Calif. 95354.
Crow Steven G 950131 p10
Steven G. Crow, 82; Steven G. Crow, a resident of Crows Landing the past 48 years, died last Tuesday at Memorial
Medical Center in Modesto. He was 82. A native of Bishop, he was a self-employed civil engineer, and a U.S. Army
veteran who served during World War II. He was a co-founder of the California Construction & Inspectors Association
and a past member of the Crows Landing Lions Club, as well as a 4-H leader. A memorial service will be conducted
Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Newman. Private burial will be in the San Joaquin Valley National
Cemetery at Santa Nella. Survivors include his wife, Henrietta Crow of Crows Landing; a son, Glen Crow of Crows
Landing; two daughters, Janet Robinson of Folsom and Phyllis Waworth of Kalona, Iowa; six grandchildren; and two
sisters, Shirley Enright of Crows Landing and Evelyn Haney of Anchorage, Alaska. Remembrances should be made to
the Memorial Medical Center Cancer Fund, 1700 Coffee Rd., Modesto, Calif. 95355.
Danielson Helen A 951017 p3
Helen A. Danielson, 81; Patterson native Helen Augusta Danielson died last Wednesday in Oakland where she had her
home the past 60 years. She was 81. She died at Summit North Hospital. She was a home-maker. Private family burial
was planned. Survivors include a daughter, Karen Fink of Patterson; two sons, Dr. Alan Danielson of Spokane, Wash.,
and Michael Danielson of Oakland; and five grandchildren. Remembrances should be sent to the American Cancer
Society, P.O. Box 423, Patterson.
Diniz Maria B 950228 p10
Maria B. Diniz. 94; The mother of a Patterson area woman died Feb. 20 at Brandel Manor in Turlock. Maria B. Diniz,
94, was a native of Agualva, Terceira, Azores. She had lived in Patterson and Newman for many years. She was a
homemaker. She was a member of St. Joachim's Catholic Church in Newman, its Altar Society, and Our Lady of
Miracles Society, as well as Sacred Heart Church in Patterson and Our Lady of Fatima Society, Los Banos. A rosary and
Mass were held last Friday at St. Joachim's Church. Burial was in Hills Ferry Cemetery, Newman. Survivors include a
son, Manuel Diniz of Modesto; two daughters, Deolinda Alves of Patterson and Mary Muratore of Merced; six
grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Francisca Avila of Los Banos and Sister Maria De Natal of
Lemos, Portugal.
Dittman Norman L 950928 p3
Norman L. Dittman, 82; A memorial service will be held here Saturday for former Patterson resident Norman L.
Dittman. He died Monday at Hillhaven Care Center in Modesto where he had been a patient for a number of years. He
was 82. A native of Lompoc, he resided in the Patterson area from 1944-68 and was a self-employed farmer. He then
moved to Modesto. He was a member of Patterson Masonic Lodge No. 488 and served the lodge as worshipful master in
1964. He also belonged to the Scottish Rite of San Jose and the Federated Church here. The service will be held
Saturday at 11 a.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Patterson. Survivors include his wife, Betty Dittman of Modesto; a
daughter, Sharon Benson of Modesto; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Remembrances should be sent
to Alzheimer's Disease, 400 12th St., Suite No. 13, Modesto, Calif. 95354; or to the Federated Church, 45 S. El Circulo,
Patterson.
Dominguez Laura 950502 p10
Laura Dominguez, 87; Final rites were held Saturday for Laura Rogers Dominguez, a Patterson resident for 20 years who
died last Wednesday at her local residence. She was 87. A native of Colorado City, Texas, she was a retired sales clerk.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church here and the Grace Baptist Church in San Jose. A funeral service was held
Saturday morning at Hillview Funeral Chapel. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose. Survivors include three
daughters, Betty Lee Parr of Patterson, Mildred Hanstein of San Jose, and Charlyn Gaeta of Victorville; 11
grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Nora Spencer of San Antonio, Texas. Remembrances should be
sent to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1144, Patterson, or to the Westside food Pantry, in care of
Federated Church, 45 S. El Circulo, Patterson.
Duarte Merced P 950214 p9
Merced P. Duarte, 58; Final rites will be held here for Merced P. Duarte, 58, of Grayson. He died last Friday at
Memorial Medical Center in Modesto. He was a native of San Antonio, Texas, and had lived in this county since 1951,
working as a laborer. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church here. A rosary will be recited tonight,
Tuesday, at 7 o'clock at Sacred Heart Church, where a Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 am. Burial in Patterson
District Cemetery will follow. Whitehurst Norton Chapel of Turlock is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation at the
chapel will be Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Survivors include his wife, Josephine V. Duarte of Grayson; six sons,
Albert Medina of Tracy, Peter and Alfred Medina of Modesto, John Medina of Texas, Arthur Medina of Louisiana, and
George Medina of Turlock; one daughter, Sheila Torres of San Jose; 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; a
brother, John Duarte of Modesto; and four sisters, Victoria Salazar of San Bernardino and Martha Delgado, Consuelo
Reves and Gloria Duarte, all of Modesto.
Ellington Barbara 950504 p5
Barbara Ellington, 70; Barbara Ellington, an 18-year Patterson resident, died Monday at Doctors Medical Center in
Modesto. She was 70. A native of Modesto, she had worked as a candy dipper at See's Candies. She was a member of
the Patterson Garden Club. A graveside service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery
near Gustine. A memorial service will follow at 11:30 am. at Hillview Funeral Chapel, Patterson. Survivors include her
husband, Marvin Ellington of Patterson; a daughter, Linda Holly of Fremont; three grandchildren; her mother, Connie
Hammon of Patterson; a brother, Edward Hammon of Patterson; and a sister, Clarece Hammon of Patterson.
Remembrances should be sent to the Del Puerto Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 187, Patterson, or to the American Heart
Association, P.O. Box 4933, Modesto, Calif. 95352.
Escatel Maria de R 951010 p3
Maria de Rosario Escatel, 48; Final rites for Maria de Rosario Escatel, a 48-year-old Newman woman who died of a
gunshot wound in her downtown Newman restaurant last Thursday afternoon, will be held today, Tuesday, in that city. A
Mass will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Joachim's Catholic church, where she was a member and sang in the choir. Burial in
Hills Ferry Cemetery will follow. A rosary was recited Monday evening at the church Hillview Funeral Chapel is
handling the arrangements. A native of Mexico, she had lived in Newman the past 25 years. She was a member of the
Guadalupe Society. CMB Lodge, and Newman PTA. She owned and operated La Azteca Tortilla Factory in Newman
for a number of years. Survivors include her husband, Raul Escatel of Newman; four sons, Raul Jr., Danny, Ivan and
Alan Escatel, all of Newman; her parents, Filemon and Elsia Jara of Mexico; five brothers, Alfonso, Savino and Filemon
Jam, all of Wesley, Ramon Jara of Salinas, and Jesus Jara of Mexico; and five sisters, Ester Sandoval, Gloria Jara and
Elisa Jara, all of Newman, and Sara and Margarita Jara, both of Mexico. Remembrances should be sent to the Guadalupe
Society, 1121 0. St., Newman, or TOSGA, P.O. Box 18, Newman, Calif. 95360.
Eseatel Ruben 951010 p3
Ruben Escatel, 54; A tragedy in Newman that took the life of a business woman last Thursday, also claimed the life of
her brother-in-law. Ruben Escatel apparently drowned when his auto went into an irrigation canal near that city. He was
54. A native of Mexico he had lived in Newman the past 32 years. He was disabled and a member of St. Joachim's
Catholic Church as well as CMB Lodge. A rosary will be recited tonight, Tuesday, at 7 o'clock at St. Joachim's Church,
where a Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 am. Visitation will be at the church from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday. Hillview
Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include a daughter, Norma Angelica of Los Angeles; his
mother, Maria Escatel of Newman; a brother, Raul Escatel of Newman; and four sisters, Guillermina Hemandez,
Angelina Escatel, Grace Marin, and Ruth Mendez, all of Newman.
Evans Lena 950427 p10
Lena Evans, 91; Former Patterson resident and teacher Lena Evans has died in Glendale. She died April 22 at age 91.
Mrs. Evans and her husband Floyd moved here in 1937. She taught in the local school district for 20 years, moving to
San Leandro in 1966. In 1988 she moved to Glendale to be closer to her daughter. She remained active in retirement and
was a member of the California Retired Teachers Association, the National Retired Teachers Association, Hayward
Historical Society, San Francisco State Alumni Association, and Alta Mira Club in San Leandro. She was a native of
Hayward and received her college degree from San Francisco State. Survivors include a daughter, Melba Cunningham of
Glendale, and a grandson, Eric Cunningham of Austin, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Evans.
At her request, no services were held. Burial was in Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland. Remembrances should be sent
to the City of Hope, 1500 E. Duane Rd., Duarte, Calif. 91010, attention: contributions.
Faria Mary N 950815 p3
Mary N. Faria, 93; The mother of a Patterson man has died at Del Puerto Hospital. Mary N. Faria of Newman died
Saturday at age 94. A native of San Pablo, she :had been a Newman resident for 73 years. She was a home maker and a
member of St. Joachim's Catholic Church, SPRSI, and SOSP. A rosary will be recited Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Hillview
Funeral Chapel in :Newman. A Mass is scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. .Joachim's Church, with burial in Hills
Ferry Cemetery to follow. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 p.m., also at the chapel. Survivors include two sons,
Edward Faria of Patterson and Manuel Faria of Gustine; two daughters, Alice Hansen of Newman and Rose Onstine of
Gustine; 14 grandchildren. 23 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Farinha Virginia 950117 p7
Virginia Farinha, 92; Final rites will be held for Virginia Farinha, a 75 year Patterson area resident who died last Friday
at Memorial North Hospital in Modesto. She was 92. A native of Madera Island, Portugal, she was a homemaker. She
was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and its Altar Society. A rosary will be recited today, Tuesday, at 7 p.m.
at Sacred Heart Church, where a Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery
will follow. Visitation will be at the church Tuesday from 5 p.m. until the rosary. Hillview Funeral Chapel is in charge
of the arrangements. Survivors include a son, John Farinha of Patterson; two daughters, Laura Arambel of Patterson and
Mary Foiada of Ceres; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Remembrances, should be sent to Sacred Heart
School, 505 M St; Patterson, or the America Heart Association, P.O. Box 4933, Modesto, Calif. 95352.
Fernandez Romualdo 950418 p10
Romualdo Fernandez, 61; Final rites will be held here for Romualdo Fernandez of Patterson, who died Sunday at Del
Puerto Hospital. He was 61. He was a native of Ario de Rosales, Michoacan, Mexico, and had lived here the past seven
years. He was a farm laborer and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A rosary will be recited Wednesday at 7
p.m. at Sacred Heart, where a Mass will be celebrated Sunday at 10 a.m. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery will
follow. Visitation will be Wednesday from 2-7 p.m. at the White hurst Norton Chapel in Turlock. Survivors include his
wife, Beatriz Fernandez of Patterson two sons, Jose and Romualdo Fernandez, both of Patterson; five daughters,
Magdalena Fernandez, Maria Hemandez, Herlinda Fernandez, and Martha Fernandez, all of Patterson, and Beatriz
Rodriguez of Modesto; 16 grandchildren; his mother, Maria Rubio of Mexico; and a sister, Magdalena Fernandez of
Mexico.
Ferrante Caterina 950530 p8
Caterina Ferrante, 90; Caterina Ferrante, a native of Italy who had lived in Patterson the past three years, died Thursday
in a Modesto convalescent hospital. She was 90. A native of Adelfia, Bari, Italy, she was a homemaker and a member of
St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Escalon. A rosary and Mass will be held today, Tuesday, at noon at St. Patrick's. Burial
will follow in St. John's Cemetery in Escalon. Survivors include two sons, Tony of Patterson and Carl Ferrante of
Fremont; six grandchildren and four great- grandchildren; a brother, Vito Iacobellis of Italy; and a sister, Immaculate
Guerra of New York. Remembrances should be sent to Central Catholic High School, 200 S. Carpenter Rd., Modesto,
95351, or to the Modesto Union Gospel Mission, 1417 De Harro St., Modesto, 95355.
Filippini Walter 950516 p1
Walter Filippini Dies at Age 98; A memorial service will be held here Wednesday morning for retired businessman
Walter C. Filippini, who died early last Saturday morning at his Patterson home. He was 98. Mr. Filippini was at the
center of Patterson's early history. Born in Salinas, he had lived most of his life in this area. He even helped to
chauffeur potential land buyers around the Patterson Colony when they paid visits to the new community early this
century. He also was the community's last surviving veteran of World War I, having served in the Army Air Corps with
the 196th Aero Squadron. He helped to found the local post of the American Legion just after the war and was a lifetime
member. Mr. Filippini also was known as a excellent machinist and for many years owned and operated a machine shop
at the corner of I Street and Highway 33 with his late wife Lucile. There he built the first automated bean cutter to be
used in the San Joaquin Valley and helped to design many similar pieces of farm equipment. He also assisted the Ielmini
brothers, Mario and Alfonso, when they founded Patterson Frozen Foods nearly 50 years ago, doing much work on their
food processing machinery. Civic Leader. He was a charter member and past president of the Patterson Rotary Club, a
volunteer fireman for many years, and served on the Patterson Planning Commission. He was a member of the Patterson
Township Historical Society, the Patterson 50-Plus Club, and the Federated Church. A memorial service will be held
Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Federated Church. Private inurnment is planned at the Chapel of the Chimes in Oakland.
Hillview Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include a son, E.L. Filippini of Santa Cruz; a
daughter, Marnelle Cripe of Micanopy, Florida; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. A granddaughter,
Dori Filippini, cared for Mr. Filippini at home in recent years. Remembrances should be sent to the Federated Church
Memorial Fund or to the Patterson Food Pantry, in care of the Federated Church, 45 S. El Circulo Patterson.
Foote Fred H 950110 p3
Fred H. Foote, 61; A funeral service will be held here today, Tuesday, for lifelong Patterson area resident Fred Henry
Foote. He died Friday at Del Puerto Hospital where he had been a patient for some time. He was 61. He lived in
Grayson and Patterson all of his life and was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Patterson. He had no close
relatives. The service will be held today at 10 a.m. at the Assembly of God Church here. Burial in Patterson District
Cemetery will follow.
Friend Ola M 950314 p14
Ola Mae Friend, 82; A funeral service will be held here today, Tuesday, for Ola Mar Friend, 82, who died Sunday at her
Patterson residence. A native of McClaster, Okla., she had lived here the past few years. She was a homemaker and a
member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. A service will be held at 10 a.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel. Burial will be
in Grace Hill Cemetery, Longview, Texas. Survivors include two sons, Bill Sigman of Patterson and Alton Sigman of
Orem, Utah; nine grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; and a brother, A.B. Baker of Port Arthur, Texas.
Remembrances should be sent to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, 650 W. Las Palmas Ave., Patterson.
Garcia Brenda 950411 p3
Brenda Garcia, 18; Joint services will be held here tonight, Tuesday, and Wednesday for three young people killed in an
auto accident on Highway 33 early Saturday morning. A rosary will be recited this evening at 7 o'clock for Dora G.
Cantu, 19; her cousin Brenda Garcia, 18; and Jessica Ramos Nunez, 17. The first two lived in Patterson and graduated
from Patterson High last June, while the third was a resident of Westley and a sophomore at PHS this year. The rosary
will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where a joint Mass for the three will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. Burial
in Patterson District Cemetery will follow. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 p.m., also at the church. Dora Cantu had
served as a mat maid for the PHS wrestling team, and had been a score keeper for the baseball team when she was in high
school. She planned to enroll in college soon. Survivors include her parents, Santiago and Julia Cantu of Patterson; three
brothers, Santiago Jr. and Carlos Cantu of Patterson and Roy Cantu of Salida; a sister, Denise Cantu of Patterson; and a
grandmother, Dora Hernandez of Texas. Brenda Garcia also had lived here all her life, and had kept score for the
wrestling and baseball teams at PHS. She was involved in the 11th annual Hispanic Education Conference, was a
member of the Mundo Latino Club and was a Delta Blood Bank donor. In addition she was to play the part of "Juanita"
in a Cinco de Mayo play at Modesto Junior College early next month and was a member of other organizations at MJC
where she attended school. Her goal was to become a kindergarten teacher. She was a member of Sacred Heart Church.
Survivors include her mother, Santos Garcia of Patterson; her father, Arnulfo D. Garcia of Modesto; a brother, Pedro
Cantu of Patterson; two sisters, Chriselda Garcia of Modesto and Andrea "Lizzie" Velasquez of Patterson; grandparents
Jesus Garcia of Texas and Catarina Garcia of Raymondville, Texas; and other relatives in Patterson, Raymondville,
Houston, and Ogden, Kansas. Jessica Nunez also was a lifelong West Side resident. She is survived by her parents,
Jesus and Virginia Nunez of Westley; a brother, Adan Lopez of Texas; three sisters, Irene Nunez of Modesto, Lisa
Vasquez of Riverbank, and Frances Nunez of Walnut Creek; and her grandparents, Salvador and Maria Hernandez of
Riverbank and Manuel and Guadalupe Pena of Texas.
Garcia Eufracia S 950601 p12
Eufracia A. Garcia, 77; Final rites were held Wednesday evening for Eufracia A. Garcia of Patterson, who died here last
Friday. She was 77. A native of rancho El Tigre, Mexico, she was a homemaker. A rosary and Mass were held
Wednesday evening at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mexico. Survivors include two sons, Ignacio of
Patterson and Juan Gallardo of Arvin; four grandchildren; two brothers, Rafael and Manuel Garcia, both of Mexico; and
three sisters, Susana Garcia, Guadalupe Garcia, and Esperanza Garcia, all of Mexico. Whitehurst Norton Chapel of
Turlock was in charge of the arrangements.
Garza Robert M 951228 p8
Robert M. Garza, 61; Robert M. Garza, a ware houseman at Patterson Frozen Foods, died Christmas Day at Del Puerto
Hospital. He was 61. A native of Eagle Pass, Texas, he had lived in Patterson the past six years. A rosary will be recited
today, Thursday, at 7 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Patterson. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. prior to the rosary.
Survivors include companion Felicitas Gaxiola; two sons, Robert Garza Jr. of Hollister and Roger Garza of Campbell;
three daughters, Anna Marie Martinez of Texas, and Debbie Garza Saenz and Sylvia Hughey, both of Gilroy; step-
children Yolanda Bachor of Concord, Christina Zamudio and Norma Escamilla, both of Modesto, and Hector Gaxiola,
Jose Gaxiola, Gilbert Gaxiola and Rosie Alfaro, all of Patterson; nine grandchildren and 23 step-grandchildren.
Gault Donald W 950404 p10
Donald Wayne Gault, 59; A graveside service was held Monday morning at Patterson District Cemetery for longtime
Patterson resident Donald Wayne Gault He died last Wednesday at his Patterson home, he was 59. A native of
Springfield, Missouri, he had lived here the past 45 years. He was a farm laborer. Survivors include three sons, Dennis
of Patterson and James and Steven Gault, both of Modesto; one grandchild; his mother, Velma Ridge of Pleasant Hills;
and three sisters, Betty Jeffers of Fair Oaks, Barbara Checchi of Pleasant Hills, and Linda Campanaro of Livermore.
Remembrances should be sent to Doctors Medical Center Foundation, Mark Faye Fund, 1524 McHenry Ave., Suite 440,
Modesto, Calif. 95350. Hillview Funeral Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.
Gearhart EB 950525 p8
E.B. Gearhart, 93; A 1920 graduate of Patterson High School died recently in the Bay Area. E. B. Gearhart of San
Rafael, a retired high school teacher, died April 26 at Kaiser Hospital. He was 93. He graduated from high school here
and worked in the local movie theater in the days when silent films were shown. After earning a teaching credential in
1929 at the University of California, Berkeley, he began a 36-year teaching career at San Rafael High School. He served
as advisor for several programs. including the year book and touched the lives of many students. He is remembered for
directing the school's scrap metal drive during World War II, giving his school the state title one year for collecting 240
tons of metal. Even into his 90s, Mr. Gearhart attended meetings of the Marin County Retired Teachers Association.
After retirement he enjoyed traveling and fly fishing. He also was an accomplished bonsai gardener. Survivors include
his wife, Velma Gearhart of San Rafael; two sons, Edwin of Meadow Vista and Paul Gearhart; six grandchildren and
eight great-grandchildren. At his request, there were no services.
Gill John M 951107 p12
John Martin Gill. 63; A Mass is scheduled for this Thursday in Turlock for John Martin Gill who died last Thursday at
his residence in that city. He was 63. A native of Gustine, he was raised on the West Side and graduated from Modesto
Junior College. He served with the U.S. Army in Korea and was a member of VFW Post 5059 in Turlock for 39 years.
He served as a driver training instructor for both the Hughson and Turlock school districts and also was a bus driver for
both districts. He was a member of the Turlock Police Reserve for the past 20 years and was a 50-year member of S.E.S.
A rosary will be recited Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Allen Mortuary in Turlock, where visitation is scheduled Tuesday from
noon to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart
Catholic Church in Turlock, where he was a member. Burial in Lakewood Memorial Park, Hughson, will follow.
Survivors include his mother, Mary C. Gill of Gustine; a brother, Frank Gill of Patterson; and three sisters, Elsie Dutra
and Eleanor Salsa of Gustine and Hilda Menard of Turlock. Remembrances should be sent to Hospice of Emanuel, P.O.
Box 2120, Turlock, Calif. 95381.
Giron Bertha A 950302 p10
Bertha Alicia Giron, 56; A sister of a local woman has died in Turlock. Bertja Alicia Giron died Monday at Emanuel
Medical Center in Turlock. She was 56. A rosary will be recited today, Thursday, at 8 p.m. at Whitehurst Norton Chapel
in Turlock. A Mass will be celebrated Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in that city. Burial in
Turlock Memorial Park will follow. Visitation at the chapel will be today from 9 a .m. until the rosary. She was a native
of Jacona, Mexico, and was a member of Sacred Heart Church. Survivors include her husband, Gilberto Diron of
Turlock; three sons, Lorenz of Fairfield, Gilbert Jr. of Modesto, and Hector Giron of Turlock; a daughter, Hope Giron of
Modesto; her mother, Carlota Cacho of Turlock; a brother, Rafael Cacho of Turlock; four sisters, Graciela Diaz of
Patterson and Lucila Gonzalez, Elvira Perez, and Maria Cacho, all of Turlock; 14 grandchildren and one great-
grandchild.
Gogga Anthony A 951226 p8
Anthony A. Gogga, 107; Delightful to the end, Patterson's oldest resident died last Wednesday at age 107. Anthony
Aloysius Gogga died at Foothill Manor in Patterson where he had lived the past several years. He would have been 108
on Feb. 19. He was a lifelong resident of California, having been born in San Jose in 1888. When the devastating
earthquake hit San Francisco in 1906, his family's home burned. The Goggas moved to Oakland and later returned to
San Francisco. He outlived five brothers and three sisters. His wife Eleanor died in 1979. He left no immediate family.
He was a farmer and accountant, and in 1981 moved to the Vernalis area, where he resided until his move to Patterson. A
prayer service was held Thursday night at Hillview Funeral Chapel. A funeral service was held Friday afternoon at
Chapel of the Flowers in San Jose, followed by burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, also in San Jose.
Gonzalez Seferina S 951212 p9
Seferina S. Gonzalez, 85; A former Patterson resident died Dec. 3 in Arizona. Seferina S. Gonzalez died at the Life Care
Center in North Glendale. She was 85. A native of Grulla, Texas, she had lived in Glendale the past eight years, moving
there from Patterson where she resided for 22 years. A Mass was celebrated Dec. 6 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in
Phoenix. Burial followed in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Avondale, Ariz. Maryvale Funeral Home was in charge of
the arrangements. Survivors include a daughter, Natalia G. Mata of Glendale; five sons, Noel of Texas, Santiago of
Patterson, Nabor of McAllen, Texas, Narciso of Manteca, and Nestor Gonzalez of Phoenix; 28 grandchildren and 41
great-grandchildren; and a brother, Severo Solis of Grulla, Texas.
Goubert Ernest L 950523 p12
Ernest Goubert, 73; Final rites will be held here Wednesday for longtime Westley area farmer Ernest L. Goubert. He
died Saturday at Del Puerto Hospital. He was 73. A native of Corona, he had lived in Westley the past 27 years. He was
a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and served in the U.S. Army from 1944-46. A rosary will be recited today,
Tuesday, at 7 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel. A Mass is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church.
Burial in Patterson District Cemetery will follow. Visitation will be today from 5-7 p.m. at the chapel. Survivors include
his wife, Anna Goubert of Westley; two sons, Dave and Jerry Goubert; and two daughters, Irene Bettencourt and Barbara
Jolliff, all of Westley; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Grisez John P 950504 p5
John P. Grisez, 51; Modesto attorney John P. Grisez, who was born and raised on the West Side, died Sunday at
Memorial Medical Center after a short illness. He was 51. A native of Patterson, he graduated from Orestimba High
School in Newman and after serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, received a degree from the U.C. Davis Law School.
He was awarded a bronze star in the military. He served a term on the Newman-Crows Landing school board and for
three years was a member of the County Drug Advisory Board, serving as its chair in 1982-83. Before serving in the
military, he earned a bachelor's degree with honors from Davis and a master's degree from Oregon State University. He
worked in the Stanislaus County Public Defender's office for 12 years before entering private practice in 1985,
specializing in defending indigent clients and earning a reputation as an outstanding defense attorney. He was a member
of the California State Bar Association, the Modesto 500 Lions Club, Modesto Sunrise Rotary Club, and was a director of
the Great Valley Museum. A memorial service will be held this Friday at the McHenry Chapel of Franklin & Downs in
Modesto. Survivors include his parents, John and Josephine Grisez of Crows Landing; two brothers, Dr. James L. Grisez
of Gilroy and Jay Michael Grisez of Santa Cruz; and a sister, Joan Esposito of Manhattan Beach.
Guerra Donald 950815 p3
Donald Guerra, 39; Patterson native Donald Guerra, 39, died Saturday at Del Puerto Hospital. He had lived here all of
his life and was a bookkeeper. A wake is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel, where visitation
will be from 5-7 p.m. the same day. A service will be held Friday at 2 p.m., also at the chapel. Burial will be in Patterson
District Cemetery. Survivors include his mother, Anita Guerra of Patterson; three brothers, August Arrollo of Manteca,
David Arrollo of Moreno Valley, and Louie Guerra of Sacramento; and a sister, Beatrice Gomes of El Cerito.
Remembrances should be sent to the Stanislaus County AIDS Project, 823 17th St., Modesto, Calif. 95354.
Hamilton Don A 950321 p5
Don A. Hamilton, 65; A graveside service was held Monday morning at Patterson District Cemetery for Don A.
Hamilton, a 42-year resident of Patterson. He died last Thursday at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. He was 65. A
native of Oklahoma, he was a construction worker. Survivors include his wife, Alva Hamilton of Patterson; a daughter,
Debra Brazil of Patterson, one grandchild; a brother, Dayrl Hamilton of Georgia; and a sister, Colleen Longo of
Arkansas. Hillview Funeral Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.
Hector Marjorie M 950525 p8
Marjorie M. Hector, 84; A former Patterson resident died in Battle Ground, Wash. Marjorie Marie Hector, who had
lived in Battle Ground the past 14 years, died Monday at age 84. She was a homemaker and a member of the Battle
Ground garden and sewing clubs. She wanted to be remembered as the biblical seamstress Dorcas. She lived in
Patterson in the 1940s before moving with her family to Gaffery Road north of Westley. Her husband Chester A. Hector
preceded her in death in 1987. A graveside service will be field Saturday at 11 a.m. at Park Hill Cemetery. Evergreen
Staples Funeral Chapel of Vancouver, Wash., is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include three daughters,
Loretta Okel of Battle Ground, Jeanette Montana of Downey, and Rita Low of Tracy; four brothers, Norman West of
South Gate, Maurice West of Apple Valley, Marvin West of San Bernardino, and Lowell West of Ojai; six grandchildren,
and four great-grandchildren.
Hernandez Carl 950520 p1
Freeway Crash Kills One; An accident last Thursday morning on Interstate 5 left one member of the Hernandez family
dead, two seriously injured and three with minor injuries. Jose R. Hernandez, 32, was driving his family home to Reno,
Nevada, in a 1989 Toyota truck after a trip to Disneyland. The truck was just south of the Westley exit on Interstate 5
when Hernandez swerved to miss a rabbit that ran through the beam of his headlights. It was an understandable, but
unfortunate reaction.
Hernandcz quickly lost control of the truck, which slid off the road and rolled several times. Carl Hernandez, just 6 years
old, was pinned under the truck which exploded only moments later. "Were certain he was killed in the impact, though,"
said Patterson Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Brooks. "He never felt the fire." A camper shell on the back of the truck
came off. Her Hernandez s three daughters were inside it and were all thrown clear of the Toyota. Seven year old Anna
Hernandez and 5 year old Angela Hernandez both sustained several minor injuries and were taken to Memorial Medical
Center by Medi-Flight. Yvonne Hernandez, was taken by Medi-Flight to Doctors Medical Center. After receiving a head
injury, the 4 year old was unable to feel or move her arms and legs. Jose Hernandez s 60 year old mother, Bitalina Price,
who had been sitting in the cab of truck along with her son and grandson, was also taken to Doctors Medical Center with
serious injuries. Hernandez himself, suffered only minor cuts on his arms and legs. "It. was a hard scene to go to." said
Brooks. "There were all these little bunny rabbits and stuffed animals laying all over the hillside from where they went
to Disneyland. It was just hard."
Hollenbeck Dale G 951221 p12
Dale G. Hollenbeck, 95; Dale Gilbert Hollenbeck, a retired business executive and civic leader, died Dec. 17 at Del
Puerto Hospital's Skilled Nursing Facility. He was 95. A native of Lincoln, Nebr., he graduated in 1924 from the
University of Washington where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He started his canning career with
the California Packing Corp. and in 1932 came to Stockton as manager of the Morpak Preserving Company. He served as
president and was a partner in the Thornton Canning Company from its inception in 1938 until it was sold in 1959 to the
California Canners & Growers. He then was assistant to the president of Calcan for many years. Upon retirement he
moved to Pebble Beach and was a former member of the Monterey Peninsula Country Club, the Beach Club, and the
Pacific Union Club of San Francisco. He served as a trustee of the University of the Pacific and was a former board
member of both the San Joaquin County Fair Association and the Canners League of California. He also served as
president of the latter organization. He was a 70 year member of the Masonic Lodge and a life member of Arcana Lodge
No. 87, F&AM. He also was a Shriner and a member of Ben Ali Temple.
Private interment was planned.
Survivors include a daughter, Harriet Cox of Westley; three grandchildren, Lisa Minton and Jan Brooks, both of
Patterson, and Frank Cox of Pleasanton; and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Jeannette
B. Hollenbeck, grandson John H. Cox, and sister Jannet Little-johns. Remembrances should be sent to the Del Puerto
Skilled Nursing Facility, P.O. Box 187, Patterson.
Hurtig Agnes 950606 p12
Agnes Hurtig, 97; Funeral services were held here Monday for another of Patterson's pioneer residents. Agnes Hurtig
died last Friday at Brandel Manor in Turlock. She was 97. She was a native of Gully, Minn., who moved to Patterson
with her family in 1914. She lived here until moving to Turlock seven years ago. A homemaker, she was a member of
Our Savior's Lutheran Church. For a number of years she was very active in the church choir, the Ladies AID Club, and
as a Sunday School teacher. A graveside service was held Monday afternoon at Patterson District Cemetery, after which
a memorial service was held at Our Savior's Church. Survivors include two daughters, Adeline Rapp of Crows Landing
and Vivian Walz of Sunnyvale; a son, Roy Hurtig of Anacortes, Wash.; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Remembrances should be sent to Our Savior's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 650 W. Las Palmas Ave., Patterson.
Ielmini Alfonso 950330 p6
Alfonso Ielmini, 94, co-owner of PFF; Private services will be held for Alfonso Ielmini, cofounder and co-owner of
Patterson Frozen Foods. He died Monday night at Del Puerto Hospital, where he had been a patient for a number of
years. He was 94. A native of Femo, Italy, he immigrated to the United States in 1922 and had lived in Patterson the past
72 years, coming here as a 22 year old. He and his younger brother Mario became owners of the Patterson Bakery, a
business successfully operated until the. mid-1940s. In 1946 the two brothers founded the frozen foods company,
becoming one of the pioneers in the new industry. They again worked side by side, with Alfonso being responsible for
overall field operations and development of the excellent grower relationship that continues today. Private family
services, including a rosary and a Mass, will be held. Burial will be in Patterson District Cemetery. Survivors include a
son, John A. Ielmini of Patterson, a brother, Primo Ielmini of Femo, Italy; a sister-in-law, Marie Ielmini of Patterson;
grandchildren Christian Ielmini of Modesto, Anne Stokman of Patterson, Jane Bubar of Thousand Oaks, and Thomas
Ielmini of Patterson; seven great-grandchildren; and a nephew, Angelo Ielmini of Patterson. In lieu of flowers, the family
requests donations to Sacred Heart School, 505 M St., Patterson.
Iniguez Fernando Jr 950131 p1
Funeral Is Today for Slain Youth; Final rites will be held here this morning, Tuesday, for 15 year old Fernando ‘Yilo
Rodrigo Iniguez Jr., who died of stab wounds suffered last Wednesday night in an altercation with another youth. A
rosary was recited Monday evening at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where a Mass is scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m.
Burial in Hills Ferry Cemetery, Newman, will follow the service. Hillview Funeral Chapel in Patterson is in charge of
the arrangements. He was a freshman at Patterson High School and had been on the wrestling team. Survivors include
his parents, Fernando and Jacquiline Iniguez of Patterson; three sisters, Naomi, Jeannette and Vanessa Iniguez, all of
Patterson; grandparents Radrigo and Rita Ramos of Newman and Florentino Iniguez of Mexico; and his great-
grandmother, Eudelia Ramos of Sacramento.
Shocked
The community was shocked last Thursday morning when word spread of Wednesday evening s tragedy that resulted in
the arrest of a 16-year-old PHS student and the hospitalization of another local student. "It s so senseless," Mayor Tim
Durbin commented late Thursday. Durbin, himself a sheriff s deputy in Alameda County, explained that many young
people don t recognize the consequences of their violent acts, especially when weapons are involved. PHS Principal
Vince Rucobo said the school s campus was especially quiet late last week after the tragedy. "We ve had a number of
students who are obviously very upset, and we ve had counselors available for them," the administrator noted. "I ve
asked the teachers to point out any students they think are having particular trouble." When asked if he was concerned
that other students might cause trouble because of the double stabbing incident, Rucoba said be didn t think so. "They,
the three youths involved in the incident, didn t have any past with each other, no history," Rucobo commented.
Court Appearance
The 16-year-old youth accused of stabbing Iniguez was scheduled for a Juvenile Hall appearance Monday in Modesto.
Patterson Police Department officials appeared before the judge Friday and asked that murder and attempted murder
charges be brought against the youth. "From that point on, it is entirely up to the court officials because he is a juvenile,"
Commander Tyrone Spence noted. The suspect s name was not released. He reportedly had moved here two weeks ago
from the Tracy area.
Fight Started
According to Patterson police Sgt. Noel Vento, Iniguez and a friend, Magdeleno Bravo,17, were walking along North
Seventh Street on their way to the Patterson High gym where the wrestling meet was in progress. The suspect was
walking from his residence on Toyon Lane, also headed to the gym. He was behind the other two youths.
It was shortly before 8 p.m.
Why are you mad-dogging us? they reportedly turned and asked. Then one of them hit the suspect in the nose, which
later was determined to have been broken by the blow. Vento said an unidentified teacher shouted at the youth to stop,
and the fight in the area of the teachers parking lot on Seventh Street broke up. Iniguez and Bravo continued on to the
gym. Standing out front, they told a friend about their fight and that they had "kicked ---." Momentarily the 16-year old
appeared and another comment was made.
Chase Is On
At that point the suspect ran across Seventh Street and up J Street, with the other two youths in pursuit. Bravo caught up
and was running parallel with the fleeing suspect, who suddenly turned to veer into an alley. Vento said Bravo was
stabbed at that point, and the suspect continued his run up the alley. lniguez continued the chase and was stabbed twice
behind 207 N. Seventh St. which is across from the gym. One wound in his upper chest severed the aorta. Three other
youths outside the gym also ran across the street and joined the chase, and a fourth also crossed the street to watch, Vento
noted. Some of them assisted in bringing Bravo and Iniguez back to the area of the gym where a Patterson adult who had
witnessed the chase took them to Del Puerto Hospital in his vehicle.
Transferred
From there Bravo was transferred by helicopter to Doctors Medical Center in Modesto where he is now recovering from
his wounds. Iniguez was taken by ambulance to the same medical facility but was pronounced dead on arrival. Patterson
police were called by hospital personnel and responded just after 8 p.m. After arriving at the hospital, another call was
received from the suspect s mother, and an investigating officer was met in the front yard of the Toyon Lane residence by
the boy s parents. They said their son was inside and visibly upset. He had only shortly before left for the school, but
returned and said the police should be called because he had stabbed someone. The knife was found on a kitchen counter
inside the residence. The youth was taken to the police department, then to Del Puerto Hospital where a blood sample
was taken and his broken nose was checked. His parents then brought a change of clothes to the police department, and
the suspect was taken to Juvenile Hall in Modesto. It was the second death of a local teenager, involving a weapon, in the
past 10 weeks. A 15 year old Patterson girl was shot and killed in a local residence in November.
Jacobs Joseph 950301 p12
Joseph Jacobs, 60; A funeral service will be held today, Tuesday, for local businessman Joseph Jacobs, 60. He died
early last Friday at Memorial North Hospital in Modesto following a short illness. The service will be held at 10 a.m. at
the Assembly of God Church in Patterson. Burial will follow in Lakewood Memorial Park, Hughson. Hillview Funeral
Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. A native of Glasgow, Scotland, he lived in Patterson for over 30 years. He was
owner of Kamps Clothing Store here and was a member of the First Assembly of God Church of Patterson. He served in
the U.S. Army from 1957-9 and was stationed in Germany. Survivors include his wife, Judith Jacobs of Patterson;
children Tamur Dickinson of Patterson, Jason Tanner of Patterson, Kim Bizzanelli of Modesto, Sharon Dickinson of
Walnut Creek, and Tyra Tanner of Patterson; five grandchildren; and two sisters, Mildred Holloway of Ontario, Canada,
and Gerry Kaufmann of Hayward. Remembrances should be sent to the First Assembly of God Memorial Fund, 18 S.
Sixth St., Patterson.
Jolliff LeRoy Jr 950608 p14
LeRoy Jolliff Jr., 57; A funeral service was held Wednesday morning for LeRoy Jolliff Jr. of Westley. He died Sunday
at Del Puerto Hospital. He was 57. A native of Neeleville, Missouri, he moved to this area with his family when he was
4 years old. He was a ditch tender for the West Stanislaus Irrigation District and was a former member of the Westley
Fire Department. A service was held at the Lakewood Funeral Home in Hughson. Private burial was in the West Point
Cemetery in Calaveras County. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Ann Jolliff of Westley; two sons, Bryan of Long
Beach and Erik Jolliff of Westley; two daughters, Donna Spivak of Ft. Collins, Colo., and Lisa Harris of Hawaii; a
granddaughter, Jacqueline Harris; a brother, David Jolliff of Modesto; and two sisters, Juanita Tendler of Modesto and
Tutty Stevenson of Lake Don Pedro.
King Clay A 950223 p9
Clay Allen King, 31; A trust fund has been established here for Clay Allen King, who died suddenly last Wednesday.
He was 31 and moved to Patterson in 1993. He was a native of Castro Valley and was a parts man for Mission Lincoln in
Hayward for nine years. A private inumment service was held. Salas Brothers Funeral Chapel in Modesto was in charge
of the arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Kimberley King of Patterson; two young children, Sarah Ashley King
and Clay Allen, C.J., King, both of Patterson; his parents, Bobby Joe, B.J., and Cecelia Ann Clark of Hayward; and his
grandparents, Frank and Mary Paulos of Hayward. A trust fund for his children has been established at the Patterson
branch of Wells Fargo Bank.
Klein Roy 950829 p1
Retired businessman Roy Klein dies at 75; Services will be held today, Tuesday, for retired businessman and war veteran
Roy Klein. He died last Saturday at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto after being hospitalized overnight. He had been
in failing health for some time. A service will be held at 10 a.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel with burial in Patterson
District Cemetery to follow. A native of Fresno, he moved here with his family when he was in high school, and
graduated in the class of 1938 from Patterson High where he played on the football team. After attending Modesto Junior
College, Klein enlisted in the Army Air Corps before the start of World War II. He trained as a bombardier in Texas,
wanted to become a pilot, but instead was assigned to the 552 nd Squadron of the 386th Bomb Group, a unit that later
was to distinguish itself in dozens of missions over France, Germany, Belgium and Holland.
Flew 69 Missions
He flew 69 missions in all, serving as the bombardier squad leader on 66 of them. That earned him the Distinguished
Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 12 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. His squadron of B-26 bombers helped to soften up
the enemy in Europe just prior to the D-Day attack, which Klein missed when he was bedridden with a leg injury. He had
been wounded by British flak which struck his plane, and the injury was compounded by a childhood bone infection that
troubled him most of his life. A bone break at age 12 had put him in a wheelchair for nearly two years. In an interview
last year he recalled crash-landing in France, after his plane nicknamed "Mert" and the "Flying Circus," lost both engines
in a raid over Caen. Fortunately he was not injured and the British held the crash site. Crash-Landed He also escaped
injury in several forced landings in England. Klein and his unit were visited by General Eisenhower who, he recalled,
talked them out of going home as they were allowed to do after 50 missions. After returning to the states in 1944, he
married his childhood sweetheart Velma Kolding, also of Patterson. She went with him to Louisiana where he served as
an instructor. After the war he fulfilled his fathers wish to take over the family grocery business. His brother Earl was
also involved in the business for a time.
Employed Teenagers
Over the years he employed hundreds of young people in the community. The business moved into a new building on El
Circulo in 1963 and became Sam s Food City when it was sold in 1986. After retiring, he was one of several long-time
business owners honored by the Patterson-Westley Chamber of Commerce. He also took several trips to participate in
reunions held by his flying unit. Those trips took him to Belgium, France, Great Britain and Florida. He was a former
member of the volunteer fire department, Patterson Rotary Club, and local 20-30 Club. He also served on the local
school board for one term, and was a member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. Survivors include his wife, Velma
Klein of Patterson, two sons, Tom of Newman and David Klein of Patterson; and daughter, Carol Klein of Modesto;
seven grandchildren; and a brother, Earl Klein of Mariposa. Remembrances should be sent to Our Saviour s Lutheran
Church Memorial Fund, 650 W. Las Palmas Ave., Patterson.
Klopping Genevieve N 951107 p12
Genevieve N. Klopping, 93; Genevieve Norma Klopping, a 75-year resident of Patterson, died here Monday at Foothill
Manor. She was 93. A native of San Jose, she was a retired school teacher who taught locally in the Patterson School
District. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a former member of the Altar Society. A rosary will be
recited Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel. A Mass is scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart
Church. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery will follow. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at the chapel.
Survivors include a son, George Klopping of Patterson; two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Knutson Chester E 950411 p3
Chester Earl Knutson, 88; Chester Earl Knutson, a 58-year Patterson resident, died April 5, at Hy-Lond Convalescent
Hospital in Modesto. He was 88. A native of North Dakota, he was a farmer and belonged to Our Savior's Lutheran
Church of Patterson. A funeral service was held Monday afternoon at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Burial was in
Patterson District Cemetery. Hillview Funeral Chapel was in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include two
daughters, Nelda Evans of Benicia, and Shirley Glass of Redlands; six grandchildren; a brother, Art Knutson of
Patterson; and five sisters, Isabel Trygstad and Ruby Larson, both of Yucaipa, Alice Barnhart of Rowland Heights,
Florence Lee of Modesto, and Lucille Leslie of Patterson. Remembrances should be sent to Our Savior's Lutheran
Church Memorial Fund, 650 W. Las Palmas Ave., Patterson.
Knutson Lily M 950404 p10
Lily Mildred Knutson, 94; A 77 year member of the Patterson community, Lily Mildred Knutson, died Monday at Del
Puerto Hospital where she had been a patient for a number of years. She was 94. A native of Massachusetts, she had
been a homemaker and was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. A service will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at
Our Savior's. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery will follow. Survivors include a son, David Knutson of Los Angeles;
two daughters, Velma Cook of Clovis and Inez Harrison of Patterson; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and a
sister, Ruth Meyers of Palo Alto. Remembrances should be sent to Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 650 W. Las Palmas
Ave., Patterson.
Koos-Tanner Tenna M 950302 p10
Tenna M. Koos-Tanner, 38; A native Pattersonite who had lived in England the past 12 years died of natural causes on
February 22. Tenna Marie Koos-Tanner died at her home in London. She was 38. A native of Patterson, she was
employed by Saha-Dale Travel Co. A rosary will be recited today, Thursday, at 7 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel in
Patterson. A service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. also at the chapel. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery will follow.
Visitation will be from 2-7 p.m. Thursday at the chapel. Survivors include her husband, Bob Tanner of London; her
mother, Ruth Koos of Patterson; a brother Leonard Koos of Virginia; and two sisters, Karen Koos of Whittier and Joni
Koos of Long Beach. Remembrances should be sent to the Del Puerto hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 167, Patterson, or
to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 423, Patterson.
Lara Jose N 951123 p14
Jose Nemesio Lara, 67; Final rites will be held here Wednesday for Jose Nemesio Lara, 67, of Westley, who died
Saturday at Memorial Hospital in Modesto. He was employed by the Turlock Fruit Co. and had lived in the Westley area
the past 50 years. He was a native of Los Angeles. A rosary will be recited today, Tuesday, at 7 p.m. at Hillview Funeral
Chapel. A Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with burial in Patterson
District Cemetery to follow. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the chapel. Survivors include his wife, Maria
Lara of Westley; two: children, Jose Lara Jr. and Aracely Lara, both of Westley; four stepchildren, David Lara, Dionicio
Lara, Ruth Lara, and Raquel Lara, all of Mexico, and two sisters, Eduarda Lara. and Sarah Ambriz, both of Mexico.
Lewis Fern 950502 p3
Memorial to be held for Lewis; A memorial service will be held at New Hope Church this Saturday for Fern Lewis, a 36
year-old Patterson resident who died on April 21. The service will begin at 5 p.m. Anyone wishing to send flowers may
have them delivered on Friday or Saturday afternoon.
Lewis Fern 950425 p12
Rites Pending for Local Woman: Fern Lewis; Services are pending for a 36-year-old Patterson woman who apparently
took her own life last Friday night. Fern Lewis was pronounced dead after suffering what appeared to be a self-inflicted
gunshot wound in the chest. The weapon was a .22-caliber hand-gun. She was found in the bed-room of her Morning
Glory Drive residence. A coroner's report is pending.
Lindberg Robert 950817 p6
Robert Lindberg, 81; Word has been received here of the death of Robert Lindberg, who died Aug. 10 at age 81. He
lived in Simms, Montana, and had been ill for several months. His wife, Dolores Moe, was a native of Patterson and was
the daughter of T.J. Moe, Patterson's first city clerk The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary April 28.
Services were held Monday in Simms. Survivors include his wife; two sons, Mark of Simms and Eric of New York City;
a daughter, Julie of Denver, Colo.; and four grandchildren.
Logan Edith 950328 p3
Edith .Logan, 98; A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 1, in Newman for former Patterson resident Edith
Logan. She died March 22 in Petaluma where she had resided the past eight years. She was 98. A native of Las Gatos,
she had lived in Patterson 71 years before moving to Petaluma. Her husband, the late William Logan, was Patterson's
first city attorney, a position he held for 53 years. The 11 a.m. service will be held at the Orestimba Presbyterian Church,
Kern and P Streets in Newman. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to local heart and cancer
funds. Survivors include two daughters, Jane Densmore of Newman and Peggy Dunn of Petaluma; six grandchildren, 17
great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. Parent-Sorensen Mortuary in Petaluma is in charge of the
arrangements.
Lopez Julian S 951228 p8
Julian S. Lopez, 93; Longtime farm labor contractor Julian S. Lopez, who worked in this area for many years, died
Sunday at Evergreen Convalescent Hospital in Modesto. He was 93. A native of Mexico, he had lived in Modesto for 43
years. He was a member of the Apostolic Church of Grayson. A funeral service will be held today, Thursday, at 10 a.m.
at the Apostolic Assembly in Jesus Christ, 917 Sonora Ave. in Modesto. Burial will be in Lakewood Memorial Park,
Hughson Lakewood Funeral Home in Hughson is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Adelina
Lopez of Modesto; two daughters, Maria Ortiz and Adelina Lopez, both of Modesto; seven sons, Jesse Varela of Salinas,
Salvador Varela Soto of Yuba City, David Lopez of Phoenix, Ariz., Robert Lopez of Modesto, Jorge Lopez of Alisa
Viejo, and Julian Lopez Jr. of Modesto, and Porfilo Lopez of Mexico; 26 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; and a
brother, Jose Lopez of Mexico.
Loughmiller Richard 951214 p7
Richard Loughmiller, 79; Richard O. Loughmiller, well-known among the agricultural community in the Patterson area,
died Sunday at his home in Ceres. He was 79. A native of Vincennes, Indiana, he had resided in Ceres since 1952. He
made a career in the U.S. Navy, and then worked for the state Employment Development Department for 15 years,
supervising the farm labor service field office here in Patterson until it was closed. He also served in the Civilian
Conservation Corps.
He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion, holding numerous positions in both organizations. He served as
the VFW district inspector for seven years and department area chairman of civil service and employees for four years.
He assisted the chaplain with a military honor guard burial team for several years, and instituted Pup Tent 15 MOC and
served as a Sean Squirrel commander for a year. He was honored with an All State Commander's cap and was a member
of Fleet Reserve Association 197, as well as Legion Post 74 and American Veterans 12. He also served as a Senior
Opportunity Service Program board member for 10 years, was a member of the Citizens Housing and Development
Committee, Neighborhood Advisory and Community Housing Committee 2. A graveside service will be held today,
Thursday, at 11 a.m. at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery near Gustine. A memorial service is planned for 1 p.m.
today at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3199, with Salas Brothers Funeral Chapel in charge. Survivors include his
wife, Birdie Marie Loughmiller of Ceres; a son, James Loughmiller of Twain Harte; stepchildren Kenneth Barrick and
Robert Hopson, both of Modesto, Judy Holm of Pineville, and Gertrude Dipert of Daly City; a sister, Mary Elizabeth
Burgess of Battle Creek, Mich.; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Remembrances should be sent to
SOSP, P.O. Box 3186, Modesto, Calif. 95353.
Luiz Mary V 950110 p3
Mary V .Luiz, 68; Final rites have been set for 50 year Patterson resident Mary V. Luiz. who died Sunday at Doctors
Medical Center in Modesto after a short illness. She was 68. Born in Newton Upper Falls, Mass. the well-known
Pattersonite was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was a past member of the Altar Society and Xi Theta
Lambda. She was a homemaker. A rosary will be recited Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel. A Mass is
scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. with burial in Patterson District Cemetery to follow.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the chapel. Survivors include her husband, Mert Luiz of Patterson; a
daughter, Jean Chin of Patterson: two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; a brother, Larry Novia, and a sister,
Rouke Eleuterio, both of North Dartmouth, Mass.
Lyons Alice M 950418 p10
Alice Mary Lyon, 92; Two services will be held made here Friday for Alice Mary Lyons. The long-time Patterson
resident died early Monday at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek. She was 92. A native of Sebastopol, she had lived
here the past 53 years. She was the bookkeeper at the former Lyons Warehouse for her late husband Bill, selling the
business in 1965. She also was an active member of the Federated Church and served on many committees. She was a
member of the Order of Eastem Star, Job's Daughters, Soroptimist International, and the Patterson Study Club. A
memorial service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at the Federated Church. A graveside service is set for Friday at 1 p.m. at
the Patterson District Cemetery. Survivors include three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; a brother, Elmer
McCombs of Modesto; a sister, Dorothy Willard of Fort Jones; and her son-in-law, Cliff Taylor of Hollister. A daughter,
Margaret Taylor, preceded her in death in 1991. Memorial donations may be to the Federated Church 45 S. Del Puerto,
Patterson.
Macias-Brown Mary A 950112 p5
Mary Ann Macias-Brown, 45; A memorial service will be held next Monday, Jan. 16, in Palo Alto for Patterson resident
Mary Ann Macias-Brown. She died Dec. 20 at Packard Children s Hospital in Pain Alto. She was 45. She was a native
of Bakersfield and had lived here eight years. She was a homemaker and is survived by her husband, Gig Brown of
Patterson. For further information about the 4 p.m. service, call Hillview Funeral Chapel of Patterson.
Martin Manuel E 951128 p3
Manuel E. Martin 85; Final rites will be held today, Tuesday, in Newman for Manuel E. Martin, 85. He died last Friday
at the San Luis Convalescent Hospital. A native of Hollister, he had lived in Newman for over 50 years. He was a
dairyman for a number of years, then retired after being employed by the city of Newman. A rosary was recited Monday
evening at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Newman. A Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joachim's Catholic
Church. Burial in Hills Ferry Cemetery will follow. Survivors include two daughter, Josephine Vetro of Patterson and
Mary Lou Martin of Modesto; a son, Louie Martin of Klamath Falls, Oregon; a brother, Frank Martin of Turlock; and
two sisters, Bea Vargas of Newman and Elsie Rocha of Gustine. Remembrances should be sent to the Central Valley
Village Coop, P.O. Box 580027, Modesto.
Martinez Eliseo A 951116 p10
Eliseo A. Martinez, infant; Three week old Eliseo Anthony Martinez, born Oct. 21, died Monday at Stanford Children's
Hospital in Palo Alto. A graveside service, will be held this Friday at 2 p.m. at Patterson District Cemetery. He was the
first child of Arthur and Yaneira Martinez of Grayson. Grandparents are Arthur and Jennie Martinez and Guadalupe
Lopez, all of Modesto.
Mattos John 951123 p14
John Mattos, 86; John Mattos, who grew up in Patterson and went to high school here, has died in Sacramento He died
Nov. 15 at the El Camino Convalescent Hospital in that city. He was 86. A resident of Newman for many years before
moving to Sacramento five years ago, he was a retired cannery worker. He was a native of Vallejo, and was a member of
St. Joachim's Catholic Church in Newman as well as U.P.E.C. A Mass was held last Saturday at St. Joachim's Church.
Burial was in Hills Ferry cemetery. Hillview Funeral Chapel in Newman was in charge of the arrangements. Survivors
include a son, Robert "Bob" Mattos of Sacramento; two grandchildren; and a brother, Anthony Mattos of Cape Coral,
Florida.
Mattos Leona 950323 p10
Leona Mattos, 83; Leona Mattos of Newman, well known on the West Side, died Monday at Doctors Medical Center in
Modesto. She was 83. She was a Newman native and had lived all her life in that community. She was a home maker, a
member of St. Joachim's Catholic Church, Catholic Daughters, SPRSI, UPPEC, the church's Altar Society, and Women
of the Moose in Newman. A rosary will be recited tonight, Thursday, at 7 o'clock at the Hillview funeral Chapel in
Newman. A Mass is slated for Friday at 10 a.m. at St. Joachim's Church in Newman, with burial to follow in Hills Ferry
Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the chapel. Survivors include two sons, Harold of Newman and
Robert Mattos of Reno, Nev.; a daughter, Yvonne Mattos of Crows Landing; and six grandchildren and nine great-
grandchildren. Remembrances should be sent to TOSCA, P.O. Box 18, Newman, Calif. 95360, or to the Newman Fire
Department, P.O. Box 787, Newman.
Mattos Mamie P 950926 p12
Mamie P. Mattos, 84; A longtime Newman resident who resided in Patterson as a girl has died at age 84. Mamie P.
Mattos died Sunday at the Parkmont Care Center in Fremont. She lived in Newman for many years before moving to
Fremont four years ago. She was born in Placer County and was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Joachim's
Catholic Church in Newman, Catholic Daughters, the Altar Society, SPRSI, Young Ladies Institute, IDES, and was a
charter member of the Newman 50-Plus Club. She was very much involved in school activities including the PTA when
her son and daughter were in school, and she volunteered for many tasks. Her late husband Manuel was employed by the
Union Oil Company. They were married for 50 years. A combined rosary and Mass will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. at
St. Joachim's Church in Newman, with burial to follow in Hills Ferry Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5-8
p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Newman. Survivors include a daughter, Gerry Thon of Fremont; a son, Edward H.
Mattos of Doyle; and one grandson.
McNatt Charles J 950822 p10
Charles James McNatt, 70; Word has been received here of the death of former Patterson resident and police officer
Charles James McNatt. He died July 31 at a medical facility in Auburn. He was one day short of his 71st birthday. Born
and raised in Oklahoma, he served in the Air Force from 1942-66, and was assigned to many locations during his military
career. He moved to Patterson and became a police officer here, advancing to the rank of lieutenant and serving for
several months as acting police chief. He opened a downtown business here before moving to the Grass Valley area 12
years ago, and at the time of his death operated a feed and gain business in Forest Hill. He was a member of St. Patrick's
church, where a memorial service was held. Burial was in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Grass Valley, with Hooper and
Weaver Mortuary in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Louise T. McNatt of Grass Valley; two
sons, Jim of Patterson and Robert McNatt of Stockton; two daughters, Carol Connelly of Arkansas and Margaret Ingram
of Weimar; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruby Atkinson of Enid, Okla.; and numerous
nieces and nephews.
Metcalf John G 950307 p3
John Glen Metcalf, 50; Patterson native John Glen Metcalf died last Wednesday in the Tacoma, Wash., area where he
made his home. He was 50. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 10 years and had worked as a stationary engineer at
Deuel Vocational Institution in Tracy. He was a past member of the Patterson Masonic Lodge. A funeral service will be
held Thursday at 1 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Patterson. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, also at the
chapel. Private burial is planned for Friday at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery near Gustine. Survivors
include three children, Dee Metcalf of Modesto, Robin Metcalf of Beaverton, Oregon, and Cobbie Metcalf of Clovis, two
grandchildren; his parents, Jack and Lois Metcalf of Patterson; two brothers, Paul of Groveland and Tom Metcalf of
Modesto; and a sister, Velma Schmicdt of Lodi.
Mini Letha M 951123 p14
Letha M. Mini, 77; A graveside service will be held here today, Tuesday, for longtime Patterson resident Letha M. Mini.
She died last Thursday in a Turlock nursing home. She was 77. A native of Cadillac, Michigan, she had lived here for
57 years. She was a homemaker. The service will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Patterson District Cemetery. Hillview
Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include a sister, Muriel Frank of Patterson. Remembrances
should be sent to the American Heart Association.
Morales Oscar C 950406 p7
Oscar C. Morales, 58; Final rites were held here Wednesday for Oscar C. Morales, a 38-year resident of Patterson.
He died Monday at Stanislaus Medical Center in Modesto. He was 58. He was a native of Mexico. A graveside service
was held Wednesday morning at Patterson District Cemetery. Hillview Funeral Chapel was in charge of the
arrangements. Survivors include a brother, Cenebio Morales of Texas, and a sister, Raquel Gamez of Patterson.
Moran Alex M 951219 p1
Crash kills 3-year-old; buried in Guatemala; A Patterson child killed in a car accident on Dec. 11 will be buried in his
home town of Jutiapi, Guatemala, sometime later this week. Alex Mauricio Moran Fuentes, 3 died after he flew through
the windshield of his parent's car during a two-vehicle accident near Hayward on Interstate 580. A 1985 Chevrolet
Blazer, driven by Jose Portello, 28, of Patterson, was westbound on I-580 at 7:15 p.m. when it came upon a flatbed truck
stalled in the middle of the second lane of the eight-lane interstate. According to authorities, Portello attempted to brake
when he realized the truck was stopped but couldn't avoid a collision on the rain-slick roads.
No Restraint
Rosie Fuents, 30, of Patterson, was riding in the front passenger seat of the Chevrolet with her son Alex Fuentes on her
lap. Except for Alex Fuentes, everyone in the vehicle was wearing a seatbelt. The impact of the collision sent the 3 year
old flying off his mother's lap and through the windshield. He was pronounced dead at Eden Medical Center in Castro
Valley less than a half hour after the crash. Firefighters had to use hydraulic cutters to free Rosie Fuentes, Portello and
another passenger, Hugo Monzon, 45, also of Patterson, from the wreckage. Rosie Fuentes was seriously injured and was
listed fair condition at Eden Medical Center as of Monday morning. Portello and Monzon were both treated in the
emergency room at Eden Medical Center and released. Roque Viado, 22, the driver of the stalled flatbed truck, received
only minor injuries in the crash.
Required By Law
California law requires that a child who is under the age of 4 and or weighs less than 40 pounds ride in a child safety seat.
According to California Highway Patrol Sergeant Mitch Mueller, had Alex Fuentes been restrained in a child safety seat
he would most likely have survived. No charges have yet been filed against Rosie Fuentes in the death of her son;
however, the accident is still under investigation. In addition to his mother, Alex Fuentes is survived by his father, Elias
Moran of Patterson, two brothers, Juan Jose Moran and Walter Moran of Jutiapa, Guatemala; one sister, Cecilia Moran of
Jutiapa, Guatemala; and his grandparents, Jose and Teresa Moran Zolares of Jutiapa, Guatemala. Alex Fuentes body will
leave for Jutiapa, Guatemala. today. He will be buried in the Jutiapa Cemetery later this week.
Morgan Theresa G 951026 p10
Theresa Gail Morgan, 42; A funeral service will be held here Friday for Theresa Gail Morgan who died Saturday at her
home in Los Banos. She was 42. A native of Phoenix, Ariz., she had lived in Los Banos the past 15 years. She was a
homemaker. A service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. prior
to the service. Survivors include two daughters, Candace Thornton and Cassandra Velasquez, both of' Los Banos; two
grandchildren; her parents, William and Joyce Morgan of Patterson; and four sisters, Debbie Reichmuth and Jackie
Weatherford, both of Patterson, Janice Robinson of Modesto, and Linda DeRosa of Newman.
Nally Arthur Sr 950720 p10
Arthur Nally, Sr. 86; Former Patterson resident Arthur Milton Nally, Sr. has died at his residence in Arkansas. He died
Sunday in Greers Ferry, Ark. at age 86. He was a native of Holly Grove, Ark. and had lived in Greers Ferry only the past
year. He was employed at the Yancey Lumber Company in Patterson for 17 years before moving from the community in
1965. A graveside service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson. Visitation will be
Friday from 8 a.m. until noon at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Patterson. Survivors include two sons, Arthur Nally, Jr. of
Greers Ferry and Orval Nally of New Brighten, Minn.; a daughter, Louise Miller of Chico; six grandchildren, three great-
grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Remembrances should be sent to the Greers Ferry Ambulance, 390
Burning Tree Rd., Greers Ferry, Ark. 72067.
Navarro Roberto S 950321 p5
Roberto Navarro, 94; A service was held Monday in Modesto for the father of a Patterson woman. Roberto Salmeron
Navarro died Thursday at Memorial Medical Center. He was 94. He was a native of Leon, Guanajato, Mexico, and had
lived in the Modesto area the past 58 years. He was a farmer and a member of the Apostolic Church. A service was held
Monday afternoon at Salas Brothers Funeral Chapel. Burial was in Ceres Cemetery. Survivors include his wife, Pauline
Navarro of Modesto; two sons, Thomas of Ceres and John Navarro of Modesto; six daughters, Pauline Navarro of
Modesto, Rosalinda Modrell of Ceres, Margaret Ann Galvan of Newman, Ruth Sierra of Patterson, Jenny Sierra of Union
City, and Pauline Lopez of Battle Creek, Mich.; a brother, Manuel Navarro of Ceres; a sister, Felizetaz of Merced; 25
grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Nelson Martha L 950126 p5
Martha L. Nelson, 81; Another longtime Patterson resident has died after a lengthy illness. Martha L. Nelson died
Tuesday at her local home. She was 81. A native of Hartwell, Nebr., she moved here with her family when she was 14
years old. She was a retired cook who worked at Patterson High School and also employed at the old Patterson Bakery.
She attended ?? Evangelical Covenant Church and was a member of the Patterson Garden Club, local 50 Plus Club, and
the Jim Beam Decanter Collectors Club. A funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a. m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel.
Burial in Patterson District Cemetery will follow. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-8 p.m., also at the chapel.
Survivors include her husband, Alvin E. Nelson of Patterson; two daughters, Joan L. Honebein of Fremont and Janet
Heffner of Citrus Heights; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Carlson of Campbell.
Nichols Gwen A 950309 p10
Gwen A. Nichols, 74,; Gwen A Nichols of Patterson died Monday at Memorial Medical Center in Modesto. She was 74.
A native of Modesto, she had lived here the past seven years after residing in Livermore from 1962-87. She was a 49
year resident of Stanislaus County. As well as being a homemaker, she had been a medical assistant for Howard Long,
M.D., of Pleasanton. A graveside service at Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson will be held Friday at 3 p.m.
Visitation will be today, Thursday, from 4-8 p.m. and Friday from 9 am. to 2 p.m. at Lakewood Funeral Home in
Hughson. Survivors include her husband, J. E. Nichols of Patterson; a son, James R. Nichols of Clear Lake; three
daughters, Robin Lee Michel of Houston, Texas, Susan Faye Scott of Farmington, N.M., and, Paula Quilici of Dixon;
five grandchildren; and two sisters, Freda Michel of Oakdale and Winifred Swenson of Middletown. Remembrances
should be sent to the American Diabetes Association, 4719 Greenleaf Circle, Modesto, Calif. 95356.
Nunes Alyssa 951205 p1
Child dies in freeway crash; A 3-year-old Tracy girl was killed in a crash at 9:45 a.m. Saturday on Interstate 5 near the
Sperry Avenue exit. A 1991 Toyota 4Runner, driven by Elizabeth Nunes, 33, of Tracy, was headed south on 1-5 when it
veered into the median approximately two and a half miles south of Sperry Avenue. According to authorities, Nunes
overcorrected and the Toyota spun around, shot back across the lanes and onto the shoulder where it hit the curb, tipped
over and then slid down a 40 foot embankment. Alyssa Nunes, 3, was thrown the vehicle and pinned under the right rear
tire. Alyssa Nunes was wearing a standard seatbelt, but according to authorities she was too small for the harness to
restrain her properly.
Safety Seats
California law requires that children ride in child safety seats until they are 40 pounds and 4 years old. Alyssa Nunes
brother, Kyle Nunes, 1, was in a child safety seat and was not seriously injured in the crash. Elizabeth Nunes suffered
numerous injuries and was taken to Doctors Medical Center where she was listed in serious condition. No charges are
being contemplated against Elizabeth Nunes at this time.
Nunes George J 951226 p8
George J. Nunes, 81; Final rites were held here Saturday for a 50-year Crows Landing resident. George Jesse Nunes
died last Wednesday at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. He was 81. A native of Riverdale, he was a self-employed
farmer. He belonged to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Patterson and was a past president of the local FDES. He
also belonged to the Patterson UPEC and UPPEC, FDES of Crows Landing, SES of Modesto, IDES No. 68 of Turlock,
St. Anthony's of Turlock, and Turlock Luso American No. 2950. A rosary was recited Friday evening at Sacred Heart
Church, where a Mass was celebrated Saturday morning. Burial was in Turlock Memorial Park. Whitehurst Norton
Chapel was in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Mary J. Nunes of Crows Landing; a daughter,
Dolores Jackson of Crows Landing; three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Mary Lucas and
Sally Avila, both of Modesto, and Lydia Soares of Turlock.
Nunez Jessica R 950411 p3
Jessica Ramos Nunez, 17; Joint services will be held here tonight, Tuesday, and Wednesday for three young people
killed in an auto accident on Highway 33 early Saturday morning. A rosary will be recited this evening at 7 o'clock for
Dora G. Cantu, 19; her cousin Brenda Garcia, 18; and Jessica Ramos Nunez, 17. The first two lived in Patterson and
graduated from Patterson High last June, while the third was a resident of Westley and a sophomore at PHS this year.
The rosary will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where a joint Mass for the three will be held Wednesday at 10
a.m. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery will follow. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 p.m., also at the church.
Dora Cantu had served as a mat maid for the PHS wrestling team, and had been a score keeper for the baseball team when
she was in high school. She planned to enroll in college soon. Survivors include her parents, Santiago and Julia Cantu of
Patterson; three brothers, Santiago Jr. and Carlos Cantu of Patterson and Roy Cantu of Salida; a sister, Denise Cantu of
Patterson; and a grandmother, Dora Hernandez of Texas. Brenda Garcia also had lived here all her life, and had kept
score for the wrestling and baseball teams at PHS. She was involved in the 11th annual Hispanic Education Conference,
was a member of the Mundo Latino Club and was a Delta Blood Bank donor. In addition she was to play the part of
Juanita in a Cinco de Mayo play at Modesto Junior College early next month and was a member of other organizations
at MJC where she attended school. Her goal was to become a kindergarten teacher. She was a member of Sacred Heart
Church. Survivors include her mother, Santos Garcia of Patterson; her father, Arnulfo D. Garcia of Modesto; a brother,
Pedro Cantu of Patterson; two sisters, Chriselda Garcia of Modesto and Andrea "Lizzie" Velasquez of Patterson;
grandparents Jesus Garcia of Texas and Catarina Garcia of Raymondville, Texas; and other relatives in Patterson,
Raymondville, Houston, and Ogden, Kansas. Jessica Nunez also was a lifelong West Side resident. She is survived by
her parents, Jesus and Virginia Nunez of Westley; a brother, Adan Lopez of Texas; three sisters, Irene Nunez of Modesto,
Lisa Vasquez of Riverbank, and Frances Nunez of Walnut Creek; and her grandparents, Salvador and Maria Hernandez
of Riverbank and Manuel and Guadalupe Pena of Texas.
Oliva Victor 951114 p1
2 Die in Separate Vehicle Accidents; Jason Ard, 22, and Victor Oliva, 18, were both killed in car accidents this weekend.
Ard was killed at 12:36 a.m. Sunday while returning from a party in Del Puerto Canyon. Ard was a passenger in a 1987
Oldsmobile Cutlass being driven by David Sanchez, 20, also of Patterson. According to Officer Brown of the California
Highway Patrol, Sanchez was intoxicated when he allowed the car to drift onto the right should of the road. Officers say
Sanchez then overcorrected causing his car to drift onto the left shoulder. It was when he corrected a third time that the
vehicle rolled, landing on its top on the south shoulder of Del Puerto Canyon Road. Sanchez, who remained inside the
vehicle, suffered a broken leg and dislocated hip as well as laceration to his right knee. Sanchez was taken by Air Med to
Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. Thrown from Car Ard was thrown from the vehicle and landed in the middle of Del
Puerto Canyon Road. According to Brown, it is unknown whether he was already dead at this time. A second vehicle, a
1982 Chevy Silverado driven by Janae Bcttencourt, 17, also of Patterson, was also headed east on Del Puerto Canyon
Road, returning from the same party which Ard and Sanchez had attended. Approximately one minute after the initial
accident, the second vehicle approached the site of the accident at 35 to 40 mph. Bettencourt's attention was drawn by the
sight of Sanchez's vehicle on the shoulder and she ran over Ard, Brown explained. "There was no indication that she was
intoxicated." Bettencourt immediately stopped the vehicle and Ard's body was discovered. Ard was pronounced dead on
the scene.
Felony DUI
Sanchez was arrested for a felony charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and then released for further medical
attention. Sanchez has not yet been booked. He may be charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence if it
is determined that Ard was dead before he was ran over by Bettencourt's car. No charges have been filed against
Bettencourt; however the accident is still under investigation.
Second Death
Victor Oliva, 18, was killed in a second accident at 2:55 am. on Monday at the intersection of Crows Landing and
Fulkerth roads in Modesto. Oliva was a passenger in a 1989 Plymouth Colt driven by Nancy Banda, 23, of Modesto.
Banda was eastbound on Fulkerth road when, for unknown reasons, she failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of
Fulkerth and Crows Landing roads. At the same time that Banda failed to yield right-of-way, Frank Guerrero, 29, of Pico
Rivera, was driving a three axle semi northbound on Crows Landing Road. Banda's vehicle somehow found its way
under the near wheels of the truck-tractor and Banda and Oliva were both killed instantly as the vehicle was crushed. The
accident is still under investigation in an effort to determine why Banda did not yield night-of-way at the stop sign. No
charges have been filed against Guerrero. Jason Ard, 22 Jason Kenton Ard was born in Modesto and had lived all his life
in the Patterson area. He was employed by a warehouse. He graduated from Patterson High School, where he had been
active in football, in 1991. A funeral will be held this Thursday at 2 p.m. at Hillview funeral Chapel burial in Patterson
District Cemetery will follow. Survivors include his parents, Joe and Camen Ard of Grayson; a sister, Kristi Ard of
Grayson; and grandparents George and Opal Ard of Modesto.
Oliva Victor S III 951116 p10
Victor S. Oliva III, 18; Final rites are set for Friday for Patterson High School graduate Victor Scott Oliva III, 18. He
died early Monday morning of injuries received when the auto in which he was a passenger collided with a truck rig. He
was a native of Patterson and graduated from PHS in the class of 1994. Most recently he was a student at Modesto Junior
College.
A rosary will be recited tonight, Thursday, at 7 o'clock at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where a Mass will be held
Friday at 10 a.m. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery will follow. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the
church. Hillview Funeral chapel is in charge of the arrangement. Survivor; include his parents, Marcos and Rosalie Oliva
of Patterson; three brothers, Arthur and Mark Anthony Oliva II, both of Patterson, and Mark Anthony Oliva I of Sanger;
four sisters, Renee Goodbeer and Roxanne Figueroa, both of Patterson, Lisa Marie Oliva of Fresno, and Bernadette Oliva
of Sanger, and a grandparent, Ascencion Oliva of Escalon. A trust account at Sanwa Bank in Patterson has been
established in his name. The account number is 0157-10140.
Olivares Leonor C 950321 p5
Leonor C. Olivares, 87; A 38-year Patterson resident, Leonor C. Olivares, died Sunday at Del Puerto Hospital. She was
87. She was a native of La Palma, Mexico, and was a homemaker. A funeral service will be held today, Tuesday, at 10
a.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery will follow. Survivors include her husband, Jose
Olivares of Patterson, two sons, Cenobio Morales of Texas and Oscar Morales of Patterson; a daughter, Raquel Gamaz
of Patterson; 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Olson Marian M 950711 p3
Marian M. Olson, 76; A graveside service was held Monday morning at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery near
Gustine for Marian Mathilda Olson, who grew up in the Patterson area. She died late last week at her Turlock home.
She was 76. She was born here and moved to Turlock in 1941. She was a member of the Turlock Covenant Church and
was involved in the music ministry there. She also was a volunteer worker with Meals on Wheels. A memorial service
was held Monday afternoon at the Turlock Covenant Church. Allen Mortuary was in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, Henry F. Olson of Turlock; two sons, David of Berkeley and Stanley Olson of Tokyo,
Japan; a daughter, Janet Lewis of Turlock; seven grandchildren; and three brothers, Alvin and Lloyd Ohlson, both of
Modesto, and Herman Ohlson of Patterson.
Ortega Lucia O 951219 p3
Lucia Ortiz Ortega, 77; A 23-year Patterson resident died last Friday at Del Puerto Hospital Lucia Ortiz Ortega, a native
of Mexico, died at age 77. She was a homemaker and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A rosary was recited
Monday evening at the church, where a Mass will be celebrated today, Tuesday, at 10 a.m. Burial in Mexico is planned
for Thursday. Survivors include six sons, Leonides Ortega of Westley, and Miguel, Vicente, Alberto, Mariano, and Jose
Ortega, all of Patterson; five daughters, Teresa Ortega of Mexico, Sara Estrella, Ana Maria Arreola, and Maria Da Los
Angeles Palafox, all of Patterson, and Graciela Figueroa of Grimms; 35 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; a
brother, Jose Ortiz of Los Angeles; and a sister, Maria Ortiz of Mexico.
Paulson Julie 950919 p1
Service Rites Tomorrow for Elementary Teacher; Services will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, for Rising Sun School
teacher Julie Paulson, 33, who was killed Friday in a 3:50 p.m. head on collision on Highway 132. Paulson, who taught
kindergarten, first and second grade at Rising Sun, joined the staff last year. She had lived in Ripon for the past nine
years. "Julie was much loved and appreciated by all the children and families at Rising Sun," Principal Renee Regacho
said, "She was such an outstanding, dedicated teacher." Regacho notified school parents over the weekend and on
Monday morning parents and children joined with Regacho and mental health counselor Kathleen Curtain at the school
for counseling, and to remember the teacher. According to California Highway Patrol reports, Paulson was driving her
red Mazda two-door hatchback east on Highway 132 when it collided head-on with a westbound gray Datsun driven by
Henry Vasquez, 35, of southern California. Vasquez's mother Rachel, 63, of Santa Clara, was also killed in the crash. A
man and young boy also were injured. The boy was at San Joaquin General Hospital in French camp and the adult at
Memorial Medical Center in Modesto. The CHP is still investigating the accident. Calls should be directed to the Tracy
CHP office at 835-8920 or 948-7576. A combined rosary and Mass for the teacher are scheduled for Wednesday at 10
a.m. at St Patrick's church in Escalon. Burial in St. John's Cemetery, Escalon, will follow. Deegan Ripon Memorial
chapel in Ripon is in charge of the arrangements. She taught in the Lafayette School District prior to starting at Rising
Sun last year. She was a member of the California Teachers Association and was a docent for the McHenry Mansion in
Modesto. Survivors include her mother, Laura Paulson of Ripon, and two brothers, James of Concord and John Paulson
of Benicia.
Perry Mary 950328 p9
Mary Perry, 84; A longtime resident of the Patterson area has died in Turlock. Mary Perry died Sunday at Brandel
Manor. She was 84. She was a native of Freeport and lived here 65 years. She and her late husband operated a ranch
here for many years. Survivors include a sister, Erma Freitas of Stockton, and many nieces and nephews. At her request,
services will be private. Burial will be in Patterson District Cemetery. Hillview Funeral Chapel is in charge of the
arrangements. Remembrances should be sent to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 423, Patterson.
Petersen Edwin M 950117 p7
Edwin M. Petersen, 80; Gustine s first city manager, who twice was called upon to serve the city of Patterson on an
interim basis, died last Friday at his home in that city. Edwin Mathias Petersen, a native of Gustine, died at age 80. Only
a week before, he had been recognized with a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Gustine Rotary Cub. He became Gustine s
first city administrator after first being in farming for a number of years. He then accepted a public works job with the
city and took over its management a short time later, retiring after 18 years on the job. Petersen twice was called upon to
assist the city of Patterson on an interim basis when this city was between managers. He was a member of the Gustine
Presbyterian Church for 44 years, a co-founder of the Gustine Invitational Basketball Tournament, and served on both the
Gustine elementary and high school boards. He belonged to the Gustine Rotary Club, was a past member of the Gustine
20-30 Club, and served on a selection committee for the city of Chowchilla. A funeral service was held Tuesday morning
at the Hillview Funeral Chapel in Gustine. Burial was in Hills Ferry Cemetery, Newman. Survivors include his wife,
Phyllis Petersen of Gustine; two sons, Craig of Half Moon Bay and Curtiss Petersen of Chowchilla; five grandchildren
and nine great-grandchildren. Remembrances should be sent to the Gustine Presbyterian Church, 399 Sixth St., Gustine,
Calif. 95322.
Pezzoni Grace E 950110 p3
Grace E. Pezzoni, 82; Final rites were held here late last week for Grace E. Pezzoni, a longtime Patterson resident who
died at her local home Jan. 4. She was 82. A native of Mosinee, Wisconsin, she had lived here for 60 years. Before
retirement she had worked for the Campbell Soup Co. in Modesto, Dompe Warehouse Co., and Arden Farms. A rosary
was recited Friday evening at Hillview Funeral Chapel. A Mass was celebrated Saturday morning at Sacred Heart
Catholic Church, and burial followed in Patterson District Cemetery. Survivors include a son, Delwyn Pezzoni of Aptos;
a. daughter, Marlene Carlson of Patterson; four grandchildren; two brothers, Laverne Ahles of Richmond, Va, and
Bernard Aides of Manteca; and two sisters, Polly Latour of Donaldsonville, La., and Elizabeth Johnson of Stockton.
Remembrances should be sent to the American Heart Association, Box 4933, Modesto, Calif. 95352.
Picha Everett 950314 p14
Everett Picha, 75; Longtime Patterson area resident Everett "Ev" Picha died last Friday at his rural home. He was 75.
A native of Nebraska, he had lived in this area 56 years. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Army
Air Corps in Africa, Italy and France. He was a rancher and a championship bowler, competing, in the Modesto area. A
service is planned for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Colonial Chapel of Franklin & Downs in Modesto. Burial in
Lakewood Memorial Park at Hughson will follow. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6-9 p.m. at the chapel. Survivors
include two children, Michael Duncan of Livermore and Douglas Picha of Chino Hills; five grandchildren and two great-
grandchildren; a brother, Carl Picha of Nebraska; and three sisters, Lucille Ray, Lillian Rupprecht and Irene Tamme, all
of Nebraska.
Pike Roy M II 950808 p6
Roy M. Pike II; Word has been received of the death of Roy M. Pike II July 15 in Hillhaven Convalescent Home in San
Francisco. Pike spent his childhood on the El Solyo Ranch and attended Rising Sun School. "His Father, Roy M. Pike,
put the El Solyo Ranch together before 1920 from seven or eight smaller ranches," said Catherine Blakley of Vernalis.
The ranch was more than 4200 acres until some parcels were sold. Pike, who never married, was believed to be in his
late 70s at his death. He attended some of the El Solyo reunions. He also contributed to the El Solyo part of the Patterson
Township Historical Museum, giving sonic photo albums and branding irons. Private services for Pike will be held later
this month.
Pizzo Christopher 951109 p12
Christopher Pizzo, 6; Final rites will be held Friday in Newman for the 6 year old boy hit by an auto here Sunday
afternoon. Christopher J. Pizzo was playing with other youngsters in the roadway of C Street when he was hit by a car
Sunday. He was taken by helicopter to a Modesto hospital where he was later pronounced dead. His organs are being
used as transplants. Christopher was a first grade student at Von Renner School in Newman and loved the out doors and
all sports. He was a native of San Jose. He had lived in Newman the last two years. A Mass at St. Joachim's Catholic
Church in Newman is scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m. Burial in Hills Ferry Cemetery will follow. Visitation will be from
noon to 2 p.m. Friday at the church. Hillview Funeral Chapel in Newman is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors
include his parents, Michael and Marie Pizzo of Newman; two brothers, Anthony and Bryan Pizzo, both of Newman;
grandparents Harry and Nina Basile of Sunnyvale and Edward and June Pizzo of Boulder, Colo.; and several aunts,
uncles and cousins.
Poretti Mary B 950504 p5
Mary Borges Poretti, 77; Final rites were held Tuesday, May 2, in Reno, Nev., for Mary Borges Poretti, 77, who died
April 29, at her residence in that city. A native of Patterson, she was born April 10, 1918, to Joe and Emily Borges. She
had lived in Reno the past 11 years, moving there from Los Angeles. Following the service, she was buried in Mt. View
Cemetery in Reno by Walton Funeral Home. She was a homemaker and a member of the Catholic Church. Survivors
include her husband, John Poretti of Reno; a daughter, Marilynn Wann of Sparks; three grandchildren and six great-
grandchildren; a brother Joe Borges of Ceres; and three sisters, Clara Borba and Alice Borelli, both of Modesto and
Beatrice Morais of Turlock.
Poretti Mary B 950509 p10
Mary Borges Poretti, 77; Final rites were held Tuesday in Reno, Nev., for Mary Borges Poretti, 77, who died last
Saturday at her residence in that city. A native of Patterson, she was born April 10, 1918, to Joe and Emily Borges. She
had lived in Reno the past 11 years, moving there from Los Angeles. A funeral service was held Tuesday afternoon, and
she was buried in Mt. View Cemetery in Reno by Walton Funeral Home. She was a homemaker and a member of the
Catholic Church. Survivors include her husband, John Poretti of Reno; a daughter, Marilynn Wann of Sparks; three
grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; a brother, Joe Borges of Ceres; and two sisters, Clara Borba and Alice
Borrelli, both of Modesto.
Prather Edith 950131 p10
Edith Prather, 83; A funeral service was held here Monday for Edith Prather, a 60 year resident of the community.
She died last Thursday at Del Puerto Hospital. She was 83. She was a native of Patterson and was a member of several
organizations including the 50-Plus Club, Patterson Garden Cub, Patterson Township Historical Society, and SOSP. She
was a volunteer at El Solyo Village and was a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church here. A service was held
Monday morning at the church. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery followed. Hillview Funeral Chapel was in charge
of the arrangements. Survivors include a son, Don Prather of Alturas; a daughter, Marlene Brooks of Vera Beach,
Florida; six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Floyd and Alvin Ohlson, both of Modesto, and
Herman Ohlson of Patterson; and a sister, Marion Ohlson of Turlock.
Reece Stephen M 950824 p8
Stephen M. Reece, 28; A 28-year-old Patterson man who had lived here only a short time apparently took his own life
last Saturday afternoon. The body of Stephen Michael Reece was taken to the Stanislaus County Coroner's Office after
being found in the garage by a relative who had talked with him only a few minutes before. The body was cremated this
week.
Reis Jesse 950509 p10
Jesse Reis, 77; Lifelong Patterson area resident Jesse Reis, a cattle buyer who was well known in the area, died Saturday
at age 77. He was known by many as a longtime auctioneer at the Stanislaus County Fair, and helped to begin the fair's
Junior livestock Auction. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the Turlock Horseman's Club, and the
Patterson FDES. A rosary will be recited Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel in Patterson. Visitation will
be from 5-7 p.m. prior to the rosary. A Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church. Burial in
Patterson District Cemetery will follow. Survivors include his wife, Helen Reis of Patterson; children Jean Leon of
Walnut Creek, Betty Bonahue of Kansas City, Mo., and Chris Milner of Salem, Ore.; stepchildren Donald and Ronald
Prachar and Shirley Billick, all of Galt, and Sharon Simmonds of Westwood; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-
grandchildren; and a brother, John Reis of Patterson.
Rico Richard J 950330 p6
Richard Joseph Rico, 23; A young Patterson man injured several years ago in a rural traffic accident died last Saturday in
Fresno. Richard Joseph Rico, 23, died at Beverly Manor as a result of injuries suffered in the accident. He was a native
of Modesto and had been a student. Visitation will be today, Thursday, from 4-8 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel. A
graveside service will be held Friday at 2 p.m. at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery near Gustine. Survivors
include his parents, Richard Rico of Martinez and Carol Rico of Warner Springs; three half-brothers, Ryan and Justin
Rico of Seattle, Wash., and Samuel Lugue of Merced; a half-sister, Genia Lugue of Merced; and his grandparents, Lillian
Parker and Manuel Silva, both of Patterson, and Joe Rico of Turlock.
Rivera Carlos V 950404 p10
Carlos V. Rivera, 65; A Gustine man who had worked in the Patterson area died March 27 in San Bernardino. Carlos V.
Rivera, 65, died on his way to Refugio, Texas. He had been ill for some time. He retired as manager of the Sun Seed Co.
here in Patterson. He was a native of Straw, Texas. A Mass was celebrated Monday in Refugio, and he was buried in
Holy Cross Cemetery in that city. Survivors include his wife, Araceli V. Rivera of Gustine; one son, Carlos Lorenzo
Rivera of Gustine; a daughter, Alaceli Consuelo Rivera, also of Gustine; a brother, Miguel Rivera of Houston, Texas; and
three sisters, Josephina Jeja and Juanita Castillo, both of Hollister, and Carolina Orozco of Wes Laco, Texas.
Roberson David L 951123 p18
David Larry Roberson, 45; A memorial service will be 300 Pasteur Dr., Palo Alto, held here this Saturday for David
Larry Roberson, 45, who died June 8 at the Stanford Medical Center. The service will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Hillview
Funeral Chapel in Patterson. Born in Van buys, he had lived in Newman 42 years. He was a mechanic and served in the
U.S. Army in 1971-72. Survivors include his wife, Reta Roberson of Newman; a son, Christopher Amaral, and a
daughter, Dorothy Amaral, both of Merced; his parents, Carl and Jannie Roberson of Patterson; a sister, Sharon McCloud
of Patterson; and his grandmother, Lorrain Witt of Modesto. Remembrances should be sent to Stanford Liver Research,
Calif. 94305.
Roberts Thomas E 950912 p5
Thomas E. Roberts, 68; The father of a Patterson woman has died in Nevada. Thomas E. Roberts of Las Vegas died
Thursday at Valley Medical center. He was 68. A retired baker, he served in the military during world War II. A native
of Chicago and had lived in Las Vegas the past three years after residing in the La Mirada area of Southern California for
47 years. A private memorial service will be held by the family in La Mirada. Survivors include his wife, Jeanne A.
Roberts of Las Vegas; four daughters, Christine Bacon of Huntington Beach, Kathe Currie of Buena Park, Nancy
Kretschmar of Yorba Linda, and Teri Regalado of Patterson; nine grandchildren; a brother, Donn Sauter of Bullhead
City; and one sister, Joan Bergstrom of Sacramento.
Robertson David 950613 p3
David Roberson, 45; David Roberson, a graduate of Patterson High School and a resident of Newman, died last
Thursday at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto following a long illness. He was 45. A native of Van Nuys, he had
lived in Stanislaus County for over 40 years. After graduating from local schools, he served in the United States Army
before working as a machinist with his father Carl in their local business, C.R. Harvesting. Survivors include his wife,
Reta: stepchildren Dorothy and Christopher Amaral, all of Newman; his parents, Carl and Jan Roberson of Gilchrist, Ore-
gon; a sister, Sharon McCloud of Patterson; his grandmother, Lorraine Witt of Modesto; three nieces and two great-
nieces of Oregon; a granddaughter, Megan Ashley of Newman; and a grandson, Jace of Gustine. Remembrances may be
made by donating blood in his name at any local blood bank, to Stanford Medical Center, as well as to the Critical Care
Transport Program, Stanford University Hospital, Palo Alto, Calif. 94305.
Robison Emily O 951116 p10
Emily O. Robison, 86; Word has been received here of the death of Emily O. Robison in Vancouver, Wash, on Oct. 28.
She was 86. A native of Lompoc, she lived in the Patterson area about 25 years, and for 15 of those was the bookkeeper
for the Patterson Irrigator. Her husband George was director of public works for the city of Patterson and died here in
1975 shortly after retirement. She then moved from Patterson. Services were held in Vancouver, and inurnment was in
Patterson District Cemetery. Survivors include two daughters, Donna M. Carlson of Arroyo Grande and Judy Houtchens
of Vancouver, a son, Robert E. Robison of Carlsbad; nine grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces
and nephews; a brother, Fred Glidden of Fairfield; and a sister, Celilie Larson of Lompoc.
Robles Jose C 950706 p8
Jose Carrillo Robles, 78; Jose Carrillo Robles, who lived in Patterson for 33 years, died June 26 in Mexico following a
long illness. He was 78. He retired to his native state of Nayaut, Mexico, in 1982 after working for several Patterson
area farmers for a number of years. Survivors include his wife, Natalia Robles of Mexico; two sons, Carlos and Antonio
Robles, both of Mexico; a stepson, Jacinto Aispuro of Patterson; and seven children who reside in this area; Dora Lomeli,
Rosie Granillo and Sandra Robles of Patterson, Sheila Arrambide of Modesto, Jose Luis Robles of Turlock, and Irma
Salinas of Newman. All seven attended the funeral in Mexico. He also leaves 18 grandchildren.
Rodney Larry C 950511 p12
Larry Cecil Rodney, 53; Former Patterson resident Larry Cecil Rodney died Monday at his residence in Modesto. He
was 53. A native of Lincoln, Neb., he had lived in Modesto the past 40 years. He was a certified assembler.
A funeral service will be held here Friday at 2 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery
will follow. Visitation will be today, Thursday, from 5-8 p.m., also at the chapel. Survivors include a son, James
Rodney, and two daughters, Lisa Ann Rodney and Chris Rodney, all of Lincoln, Neb.; three grandchildren; and a brother,
Robert Rodney of Los Banos. Remembrances should be sent to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 423, Patterson.
Rodriguez Pilar R 950321 p5
Pilar Rivas Rodriguez, 91; Final rites are planned for Thursday for Pilar Rivas Rodriguez of Patterson who died Sunday
at Memorial Hospital in Modesto. He was 91. A native of Moyahua, Mexico, he had lived here the past 20 years. He
was a retired farm worker and was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A rosary will be recited Wednesday at 7
p.m. at the church, where a Mass is scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery will follow.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. at the church. Hillview Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include five children, Ramon Rodriguez, Ramona Rodriguez, and Clemncia Rodriguez, all of Patterson, and
Joseph Rodriguez and Carmen Rodriguez, both of Mexico; 23 grandchildren, 54 great grandchildren, and nine great-
great-grandchildren; and a brother, Bernardo Rivas of Mexico.
Sarasqueta Joaquin 951026 p1
Final Rites Scheduled for Joaquin Sarasqueta; Longtime Patterson businessman Joaquin ( Joe ) Sarasqueta, 77, died
early Wednesday at Memorial Hospital. in Modesto. He had been in failing health for some time. A combined rosary
and Mass will be held Friday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial in the San Joaquin Valley National
Cemetery near Gustine will follow at 12:30 p.m. A native of Shoshone, Idaho, he moved with his family to the Stockton
area when he was a youngster and to the West Side in 1932. Here his father was a partner in S&E Sheep in the hill
country. After graduation from Patterson High School in 1936, he went into the sheep business with his father, a
relationship that continued until 1958. It was interrupted by World War II when he served in the Army Air Force from
1943-45. He was a bombardier on a B-17 and flew 31 missions over Europe, eventually being awarded the Purple Heart
and Distinguished Flying Cross. He began purchasing orchard property in the early 1950s and continued in that business.
He also became a partner in Gaspar Real Estate, and with the late Alfred Gaspar purchased the Carvalho Travel Agency
in the Bay Area, opening an office here that later became Westside Travel Agency. He recently sold that business. He
was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, was a past president and member of the Patterson Lions Club, and
belonged to the Los Banos Basque Club. Survivors include his wife, Louisa Sarasqueta of Patterson; a daughter, Dr. Lisa
Sarasqueta of Patterson; three sons, Phillip of Twin Falls, Id., Mark of Crows Landing, and David Sarasqueta of
Modesto; seven grandchildren; and a sister, Rosita Lecertua of Sioux Falls, S.D.
Schut Edward J 950822 p10
Edward Joel Schut, 82; A funeral service was held here Monday for longtime resident Edward Joel Schut. He died last
Thursday at Del Puerto Hospital at age 82, he had been ill for some time. A native of Filer, Idaho, he had lived in
Patterson the past 48 years. He retired as a maintenance worker for the city of Patterson. He was a member of the
Baptist Church here, and the Patterson 50-Plus Club. A service was held Monday morning at Hillview Funeral Chapel.
Private burial was in Lakewood Memorial Park, Hughson. Survivors include his wife, Mary Schut of Patterson; a son,
Ronald Schut of Escalon; two daughters, Phyllis Morris of Modesto and Janice Yoppini of Patterson; a stepson, Richard
Fausone of Vancouver, Wash.; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Remembrances should be sent to Christian
Berets, 1325 Yosemite Blvd., Modesto, Calif. 95354.
Sequeira Donald W 951221 p12
Donald W. Sequeira, 65; Final rites will be held Friday in Newman for longtime West Side resident Donald W. Sequeira.
He died Tuesday night at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. He was 65. A native of Newman, he lived in the Crows
Landing area for 39 years. He was a self-employed farmer and resided in Turlock. He was a member of the Knights of
Columbus in Newman, the Elks Lodge in Modesto, the Escalon Sportsman's Club, and the Turlock Golf and Country
Club. A memorial gathering to celebrate his life will be held Friday at noon at the Del Puerto Hotel, Patterson. Burial
will be private. Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Hazel Lopes Sequeira of Turlock; two sons, Randall of
Sebastopol and Rick Sequeira of Crows Landing; a sister-in-law Lorraine Costo Freitas; and a brother and sister-in-law,
Lloyd and Gertie Lopes, all of Crows Landing. He was preceded in death by a son, Rod Sequeira. Hillview Funeral
Chapel of Newman is in charge of the arrangements. Remembrances should be sent to the American Heart Association,
P.O. Box 4933, Modesto, Calif. 95352, or the Faith Home Boys Ranch in Turlock.
Sillas Carlos C 951207 p10
Carlos Castillo Sillas, 48; Private services were held here Wednesday for Carlos Castillo Sillas, 48, who died Monday at
St. Joseph's Hospital in Stockton. He was a resident of Modesto the past 12 years and was a counselor for the Eastside
Unified School District in San Jose. His wife has relatives in the Grayson area. He was a native of Los Angeles and
served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1965-67, Survivors include his wife, Esmeralda Estrada Sillas of Modesto; two
daughters in San Jose; one grandchild; his mother, Maria Luisa Castillo Sillas of Kingmond, Ariz.; two brothers, Frank
Sillas of Washington state and Ruben Sillas of Kingmond; and a sister, Lupe Sillas of Virginia. Hillview Funeral Chapel
was in charge of the arrangements.
Silva Margaret S 950307 p3
Margaret Silva, 89; Final rites will be held here Wednesday for Margaret S Silva of Patterson. She died Monday at
Puerto Hospital. She was 89. She had lived here since 1930 when she married Joe A. Silva. He died in 1989. A native
of Pico, Azores, she was a homemaker and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A rosary will be recited today,
Tuesday, at 7 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel. A Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church,
with burial to follow in Patterson District Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Tuesday at the chapel Survivors
include a son, Manuel Silva of Patterson; a daughter, Irene Wilford of Manteca; and eight grandchildren, 11 great-
grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Remembrances should be sent to Sacred Heart School, 505 M St.,
Patterson.
Simmons James R 950914 p5
James R. Simmons, 53; A Patterson High graduate in the class of 1960 has died in San Diego. James Ronald Simmons
died Aug. 29 at age 53, it was learned here this week. A native of Medford, Oregon, he attended elementary schools and
high school here. He married Diane Leon and moved to San Diego where he was self-employed. A service was held in
San Diego, with several family members and friends attending. His body was cremated. A memorial service will be held
here Saturday, Sept. 16, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with the Rev. Andrew Bellisario being the celebrant.
Survivors include two daughters, Shawn Dunnum and Shannon Dunnum, both of San Diego; seven grandchildren, all in
San Diego; a brother, Steven Simmons of Patterson; and a sister, Margaret Dixon of Kentucky.
Singh Rosalina 950704 p10
Rosalina Singh, 55; A Mass will be said at 10 a.m. today, Monday, at Sacred Heart Church for Rosalina Singh, 55, who
died here Thursday. A native of Brawley, she had lived in Patterson for 30 years and was a homemaker. She was a
member of Sacred Heart Church. She is survived by her children Alfred Singh of Ceres, Robert Singh of Newman, Julia
Medina of Patterson, Sandra Escalera of Sacramento; one brother, Manuel Solarez of Grayson; two sisters, Angie Wilson
and Libby Solarez of Patterson; 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Hillview Funeral Chapel was in charge of
arrangements. A rosary and visitation took place last night at the chapel. Burial will be at the Patterson District
Cemetery.
Slone Charline E 950620 p3
Charline Elfers Slone, 75; Longtime Patterson resident Charline Elfers Slone died Friday at Emanuel Hospital in
Turlock. She was 75. A native of Turlock, she had lived here 49 years. She was a homemaker and served as organist at
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church for over 30 years. She was a member of the pioneer Elfers family that settled here before
Patterson was founded. A graveside service will be held today, Tuesday, at 10 a.m. at Patterson District Cemetery. A
memorial service will follow at 10:30 a.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church. Survivors include two sons, John of
Patterson and Michael Slone of Redding; a daughter, Alison Hengehold of Menlo Park; four grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren; and a sister, Geraldine Edwards of Soquel. Remembrances should be sent to Our Saviour's Lutheran
Church, 650 W. Las Palmas Ave., Patterson.
Soares Marie E 950815 p3
Marie Eldena Soares, 68; Final rites will be held here for Patterson native Marie Eldena Soares. She died Friday after a
sudden illness. She was 68. She lived here all of her life, working for a number of years at Eagle Drug and most recently
at Farinha's Floral. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and UPEC. A rosary will be recited Wednesday
at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, where a Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 10 a.m. Burial in Patterson District
Cemetery will follow. Visitation at the church will be Wednesday at 5 p.m. until the rosary. Survivors include her
husband, Edwin Soares of Patterson; two daughters, Darlene Curiel of Tucson, Arizona, and Barbara Partain of Umpqua,
Oregon; three grandchildren; and a sister, Emily Prieto of' Patterson.
Souza Amy B 950119 p7
Amy Beth Souza, 27; Final rites are pending for Amy Beth Souza of Patterson who died Tuesday in Modesto after a long
illness. She was 27. She died at the Stanislaus Medical Center. Arrangements are pending at the Hillview Funeral
Chapel.
Souza Amy B 950124 p3
Amy Beth Souza, 27; Services were held here Saturday for a young woman who died last Tuesday at Stanislaus Medical
Center in Modesto. Amy Beth Souza, a Patterson resident the past six years, died of natural causes. She was 27. A
native of Hayward, she was a past member of the Patterson Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary and of Rho Phi
Sorority. A service was held Saturday afternoon at Hillview Funeral Chapel. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery
followed. Survivors include her husband, David Souza; an infant son, Colton Daniel Souza; her parents, Robert and
Linda Burriss; two brothers, George and Kyle Burriss; and a sister, Mia Burriss, all of Patterson.
Sterling Brenda A 950425 p12
Brenda A. Sterling, 93; A 93-year resident of the West Side, Brenda A. Sterling of Gustine, died April 21 at the
Evergreen Convalescent Hospital in Modesto. The Quincy native was 93. She was a homemaker and a past member of
the Rebekahs and the Gustine Senior Citizens. A graveside service was held Monday afternoon at Hills Ferry Cemetery
in Newman. Hillview Funeral Chapel was in charge of the arrangement. Survivors include two daughters, Marilyn
Grischott of Patterson and Donna Gomes of Gustine; five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Remembrances
should be sent to Memorial Hospital Foundation, 1700 Coffee Rd., Modesto, Calif. 95350.
Stonecipher Herman T 950425 p12
Herman T. Stonecipher, 89; Longtime Patterson resident Herman Theodore Stonecipher died Sunday at Del Puerto
Hospital. He was 89. A native of Texas, he had made his home here the past, 58 years. He retired as a foreman of the
Westley Warehouse and was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. A graveside service at Patterson District Cemetery
will be held Thursday at 10 a.m. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel. Survivors
include his wife, Bessie Stonecipher of Patterson; two sons, Ronald Skidmore of Santa Cruz and Richard Skid-more of
Modesto; a daughter, Barbara Thompson of Oakdale; 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; a brother, Loy
Stonecipher of Casa Grande, Ariz.; and three sisters, Lilly Simons and Minnie Bell, both of Phoenix, Ariz., and Vera
Bettcncourt of Patterson. Remembrances should be sent to the American Cancer Society, Box 423, Patterson, or to the
Del Puerto Hospital Foundation, Box 187, Patterson.
Strickland Ray H 950207 p12
Ray H. Strickland, 82; A longtime Patterson man died recently at his nephew's home in Modesto. Ray H. Strickland died
Jan. 31. He was 82. A native of Scotts County, Arkansas, he lived in the Patterson area for 40 years and was employed
as a ranch hand for Sapino orchards. He was a member of the National Rifle Association. Survivors include his niece
and nephew, Bertha and Hershel Turner of Modesto, who have been his recent care givers. A graveside service was held
last Friday afternoon at Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson. Lakewood Funeral Home was in charge of the
arrangements. Remembrances should be sent to Community Hospice, 601 McHenry Ave., Suite C., Modesto, Calif.
95350
Tanori Reyes O 950720 p10
Reyes Ortega Tanori, 69; Final rites will be held here late this week for 50-year Patterson resident Reyes Ortega Tanori,
Sr. He died Monday at age 69. He was a general laborer and a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Patterson.
Mr. Tanori was a native of Sonora, Mexico. A rosary will be recited Thursday at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, where a
Mass will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery will follow. Visitation will be Thursday
from 5-7 p.m. at the church. Hillview Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include his wife, Isabel
Tanori of Patterson; six sons, Reyes Jr. of Turlock, Joseph, Frank, and Louie, all of Patterson, Ralph of Newman, and
Rossario Tanori of Modesto; three daughters, Mary McDonald of New York, Carmen Tanori of Manteca, and Delores
Cisneros of Modesto; 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; three brothers, Rosario, Frank and Leonardo Tanori,
all of Mexico; and three sisters, Josefina Tanori, Maria Luisa Tanori, and Delores Tanori, all of Mexico. Remembrances
should be sent to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 4933, Modesto, Calif. 95352.
Terwilliger Betty 950504 p5
Betty Terwilliger, 65; Word has been received here of the April 30 death of Betty Terwilliger, a former Patterson
resident. She died of natural causes at age 65. A Mass will be celebrated Friday noon at Out Lourdes Catholic Church in
Salt Lake City. She was a native of Bradford, Penn. In recent years the Terwilligers traveled extensively in their motor
home. Survivors include her husband, Jim Terwilliger of St. George, Utah; and two children, Sue Azevedo and Mark
Terwilliger, both of Salt Lake City. Another son, Terrance Terwilliger, died three weeks ago.
Thompson Martha G 951017 p3
Martha Gromer Thompson, 93; A longtime Newman resident who was well known throughout the West Side has died at
age 93. Martha Gromer Thompson died last Wednesday at Del Puerto Hospital. She was a native of Missouri and had
lived in Newman the last 60 years. She was a member of Orestimba United Presbyterian Church, the Women's Club and
the Garden Club, and during her lifetime had been active in many civic affairs in that community. She was a charter
member of the Newman 50-Plus Club and served as grand marshal of the Newman Fall Festival parade in 1976. She was
preceded in death by her husband, longtime Newman physician James Thompson. A private family burial service was
held. A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. at Orestimba United Presbyterian Church in
Newman. Survivors include a son, James E. Thompson Jr., of Patterson; three grandchildren and two great-
grandchildren; and a brother, Richard Gromer of Fort Bragg. Remembrances should be sent to the church, 1107 Kern St.,
Newman, Calif. 95360, or to an organization of the donor's choice.
Thorkelson Ester O 950406 p7
Esther O. Thorkelson, 98; Another of Patterson's long-time residents has died. Esther Olive Thorkelson died Monday at
Brandel Manor in Turlock. She was 98 and had been a local resident for 68 years. A native of Delphos, Kansas, she was
a retired schoolteacher who had taught in the local school district. She also was a member of the Patterson Evangelical
Covenant Church and the local Garden Club. A graveside service will be held today, Thursday, at 11 a.m. at the
Patterson District Cemetery. Hillview Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include two nieces,
Adeline Rapp of Crows Landing and Pauline Palmquist of Turlock. Remembrances should be sent to the Evangelical
Covenant Church, 435 W. Las Palmas Ave., Patterson.
Torrison Bernice J 950411 p3
Bernice Johnson Torrison, 85; A funeral service will be held today, Tuesday, for another of Patterson's longtime
residents. Bernice Johnson Torrison died last Saturday at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto. She was 85. A retired
schoolteacher and homemaker, she had lived here 75 years, moving here with her family from Minnesota. She was a
member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, Patterson Garden Club, and California
Retired Teachers Association. A service will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, with burial in
Patterson District Cemetery to follow. Visitation will be Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Hillview Funeral
Chapel, Patterson. Survivors include a son, John Edward Torrison of Patterson; a daughter, Joyce Marie DiMenco of
Patterson; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Alveria Gregory of Tacoma, Wash.
Remembrances should be sent to Our Saviour's Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 650 W. Las Palmas Ave., Patterson.
Torrison Donald E 950606 p12
Donald E. Torrison, 69; Longtime Patterson area resident Donald Eugene Torrison was buried Monday morning at
Patterson District Cemetery, where a graveside service was held. He died last Thursday at Hillhaven Convalescent
Hospital in Modesto, following a long illness. He was 69. He was a native of Oakland and had lived here the past 53
years. He served in the U.S. Army in 1945-46. Survivors include a son, Garry Torrison of' Modesto; two daughters,
Linda Alberta of Patterson and Diane Pitchlynn of Modesto; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild; and a brother,
Emil Torrison Jr. of McKinleyville. Remembrances should be sent to Hospice, 601 McHenry Ave., Modesto; or to the
Covenant Church, 435 W. Las Palmas Ave., Patterson.
Tyler Sarah J 950921 p5
Sarah Jane Tyler, 78; A funeral service will be held today, Thursday, in Modesto for Sarah Jane Tyler of that city. She
died Tuesday at Memorial Hospital in Modesto. She was 78. A native of Choctaw County, Miss., she was a homemaker
who had lived in Modesto the past 16 years. She was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Atwater. A service will
be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Progressive Baptist Church, 530 Fourth St., in Modesto. Burial will be Tuesday, Sept.
26, in Red Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Eupora, Miss. Hillview Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Survivors include her husband, Joe Willie Tyler of Modesto; five sons, Willie of Jackson, Miss., James and Joe of
Modesto, Roger of Turlock, and Larry Tyler of Columbus, Miss.; two daughters, Mary Thompson of Akerman, Miss.,
and Shirley Sheldon of Sacramento; 19 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; three brothers, Lennon, George and
Shannon McMullen, all of Akerman, Miss.; five sisters, Carne Stevenson of New York City, Minnie Bell Snow of
Milwaukee, Wis., Hattie McMullen and Estella McMullen, both of Akerman, Miss., and Willie Mae Beard of Columbus,
Ohio; and a stepsister, lrene Farmer of Eupora, Miss. Remembrances should be sent to the Mt. Olive Baptist Church;
Atwater. Hillview Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Vaile Elcie M 950704 p5
Elcie Marie Vaile, 80; A graveside service was held at the Patterson District Cemetery Saturday morning for four year
resident Elcie Marie Vaile. Hillview Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements. She died June 28 at the age of 80 at
Central California Rehabilitation Hospital in Modesto. A native of Oklahoma, she was a homemaker. Survivors include
her husband, Walter A. Vaile of Patterson; a son, Walter F. Vaile of Paris, Ark.; daughters Audrey G. Patterson of
Patterson, and Mildred J. Moran of Stockton; brothers Charlie Curtwright of Uvalde, Texas; Dan Curtwright of San
Angelo, Texas; James Curtwright of Santa Rosa; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Remembrances may be
sent to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 423, Patterson, Calif. 95363.
Vierra John 'Jack' 950117 p7
John ‘Jack Vierra, 77; Final rites were held Monday in Hilmar for well-known John "Jack" Vierra, 77. He died last
Wednesday at Brandel Manor in Turlock. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, where a Mass was held
Monday morning. Burial was in Turlock Memorial Park. Whitehurst Norton Chapel was in charge of the arrangements.
A native of Delhi, he was active in numerous organizations including the Merced County Sheriffs mounted posse, SES
San Gabriel Council No. 18 of Stevinson, YMI Holy Rosary No. 44 of Hilmar, Luso American of Turlock, and UPEC of
Turlock. He served as a trustee of the Hilmar Unified School District for 12 years and was a past president of the
Stevinson Pentecost Association, and also a member of St. Mary s Catholic Church in Stevinson. Survivors include his
wife, Lorraine Vierra of Turlock; five sons, Johnny of Seattle, Patrick of Turlock, Michael of New Mexico, and Gregory
and Raymond Vierra, both of Stevinson; three daughters, Joanne Fuss and Theresa Rodgers, both of Santa Cruz, and
Patricia Baptista of Stevinson; two stepsons, Brian Costa of Turlock and Dan Costa of Modesto; 17 grandchildren and
four great-grandchildren; and five brothers, Manuel of Vernalis, Joe of Livingston, Tony of Hilmar, Frank of Hilmar, and
Serafim "Finny" Vierra of San Diego.
Vierra Manuel 951010 p3
Manuel Vierra, 88; Final rites will be held Wednesday in Turlock for Manuel Vierra, a longtime Vernalis area resident
who died Saturday at his home. He was 88. A native of Massachusetts, he lived in Vernalis the past 29 years, moving
there from Turlock where he resided 35 years. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Patterson and the
Knights of Columbus in Turlock. He was a member of the Turlock Horseman's Club and had been very active in the
Merced County Sheriff's Posse that participated in many parades in this area. He was a member of SES No. 22 of
Turlock, and for 30 years carried the Lady of Miracles flag at the Gustine celebration of the bullfights. He also started
the chamarita dance at the fairgrounds. A rosary will be recited tonight, Tuesday, at 8:30 at Sacred Heart Church in
Turlock, where a Mass will be celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Turlock's Memorial Park.
Visitation will be today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Whitchurst Norton Chapel in Turlock. Survivors include his wife, Anna
Vierra of Vernalis; three sons, Daniel and David of Vernalis and Manuel Vierra Jr. of Oakdale; four brothers, Tony and
Frank of Hilmar, Joe of Livingston, and Finney Vierra of San Diego; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Villarreal Marlene 950921 p5
Marlene Villarreal, 42; Word has been received here of the death of Marlene Dee Villarreal, who owned Patterson
School of the Arts here a number of years ago. Villarreal died Sept. 12 at Redwood City Hospital after a long illness.
She was 42 years old. A graduate of Castro Valley High School, she was an entertainer, cosmetologist, and dance
instructor. Survivors include her husband of 19 years Burt Villarreal, and a son, Jorden Villarreal, both of Mountain
View; sisters Gail Ambrose of Eureka, Mont., and Jeannett Keever of Fernley, Nev.; a brother, Jack Leininger, of
Fernley, Nev.; her mother-in-law Nancy Villarreal of Mountain View; and several nieces and nephews. Two services and
a private inurnment were held last week. The Cusimano Family Colonial Mortuary in Mountain View was in charge of
arrangements. Remembrances may be sent to: Jorden Villarreal College Fund, c/o Wells Fargo Bank, 590 Castro St.,
Mountain View, Calif. 94040.
Walker Berneeta 950509 p10
Berneeta Walker, 88; Kansas native Berneeta Walker died last Friday in Turlock at age 88. She had lived in Newman
and Gustine the past eight years. She had previously resided in Hayward since 1946 and was a homemaker. She was a
member of the Presbyterian Church of Hayward where she served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and president of
the women's association. A memorial service will be held this Friday at 2 p.m. at the Orestimba Presbyterian Church in
Newman. Burial was in Oakmont Memorial Park in Pleasant Hill. A service was held Wednesday morning at Chapel of
the Valley in Castro Valley. Survivors include a daughter, Vera Bowen of Turlock; five grandchildren including Michael
Bowen of Patterson, 19 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; and a sister, Wanna Jackson of Clovis, N.M.
Remembrances should be sent to a favorite charity.
Weise Michael R 951012 p8
Michael Ray Weise, 31; A memorial service will be held here Saturday for Michael Ray Weise. A resident of Santa
Rosa who had lived briefly in Patterson, he died last March 17 at age 31. He was a native of Morberly, Missouri and
was a truck driver. The service will be held at 2 p.m. at Hillview Funeral Chapel. Survivors include a friend, Sherilyn
Pogue of Moberly; a daughter, Diedra Pogue of Morberly; his natural parents, James Boardman of Flemington, Missouri
and Patsy Muff of Kansas City, Missouri; his parents, Carl and Marilyn Weise of Patterson; two brothers, Leonard Weise
of Patterson and Donald Boardman of Missouri; and two sisters, Janalyn Main of Polsboro, Wash., and Jennifer Smith of
Modesto. Remembrances should be sent to St. Vincent de Paul Society, 529 I St., Patterson.
Westbert Eugene T 950831 p3
Eugene T. Westberg, 69; A seven year resident of Patterson has died at his residence. Eugene Toleman Westberg died
Monday after a short illness. He was 69. He was a retired trucking firm manager and was a native of Salt Lake City. He
had moved here from the Oakland area. He was employed by P.I.E. for about 30 years and retired from Arkansas Best
Freight in 1991. He was a veteran of the United States Navy and served from 1941-47, serving in the Pacific as the
skipper of a landing craft. Woodworking was his hobby, and he enjoyed building birdhouses. Graveside service will be
Friday at 10 a.m. at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery near Gustine. Hillview funeral chapel, Patterson, is in
charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Thursday at the Chapel. Survivors include his wife, Rose
Zeithamel of Patterson; a son, Steve Westberg of Dallas, Texas; two daughters, Susan Aguilar of Walnut Creek and
Kathy Tonga of Allen, Texas; eight grandchildren; and a brother and sister, Virgil Westberg and Jane Bishop, both of
Salt Lake City. Remembrances should be sent to the A.L.S. Society, in care of Lou Gehrig Fund, 400 12th St., Modesto,
Calif. 95354.
Wharton David P 950223 p1
Memorial Rite for Dr. Wharton; A memorial service will be held here Saturday afternoon for retired orthodontist David
Phillip Wharton. Dr. Wharton died Monday at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto after recently undergoing heart
surgery. He was 70. The well-known orthodontist had lived in the Patterson area the past 20 years. He was a native of
Richmond. He had farmed on the West Side since 1969, raising apricots and pistachios. He was a member of the state
Pistachio Commission. He also was a member of the American Dental Association and belonged to the Del Rio Country
Club, Tweed Society, and the Sportsmen of Stanislaus. Private burial is planned in the San Joaquin Valley National
Cemetery, Gustine. The memorial service Saturday will be at 2 p.m. at the Hillview Funeral Chapel in Patterson.
Survivors include his wife, Gigi Wharton of Patterson; two sons, Erik and Kurt Wharton, both of Modesto; four
grandchildren; and a brother, Bruce A. Wharton of Belmont.
Wilson Robert R 950509 p10
Robert R. Wilson, 53; Final rites for a 30-year Patterson resident will be held here today, Tuesday. Robert Roland Wilson
died last Thursday at Memorial Hospital in Modesto. He was 53. A native of Orange, he was a farm worker and a member
of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A Mass will be celebrated today, 'Tuesday, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart, where a rosary was
recited Monday evening. Burial in Patterson District Cemetery will follow. Survivors include his wife, Angie Wilson of
Patterson; a son, Manuel Wilson of Patterson; three daughters, Dora Garcia and Laura Lancaster, both of Patterson, and Sandy
Rubio of Turlock; eight grandchildren; a brother, Sal Wilson of Arizona; and two sisters, Charlotte Angelo of San Diego and
Yolanda Lara of El Centro. Remembrances should be sent to the National Kidney Foundation, 553 Pilgram Dr., Suite C,
Foster City, Calif. 94404.
Wood Lynn S 951107 p12
Lynn S. Wood, 66; Retired Stanislaus County Sheriff Lynn Smith Wood, a 32-year law enforcement veteran, died Sunday
in Modesto following a long illness. He was 66. Wood joined the sheriff's department as a county jailer in 1954 and
advanced through the ranks to chief deputy before being elected sheriff in 1974. He served three four-year terms before
retiring. He developed a program to combat rural crime, working with farmers and ranchers, and strongly supported the drug
enforcement unit, keeping it functioning after federal funding ran out. That unit today is the Stanislaus Drug Enforcement
Agency. Born in Alvarado, Texas, he moved here with his family from the Imperial Valley when he was 15 and graduated
from Patterson High School in 1944. He earned an associate arts degree from Modesto Junior College and attended Cal Poly
at San Luis Obispo. He served in Korea with the Marine Corps and was awarded two Purple Hearts. He was a member of
Centenary Methodist Church in Modesto, served on the board of directors of the Salvation Army for over 20 years, was a
charter president of SIRS No. 144, and was a member of the Elks Lodge in Modesto. He served as vice president of Elks
Major Project for Disabled Children. A funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Centenary Methodist Church, corner
of Norwegian and McHenry avenues. Entombment will be in Acacia Memorial Mausoleum. Visitation will be Thursday from
4-7 p.m. at Salas Brothers Funeral Chapel. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Wood of Modesto; a son and daughter-in-
law, Craig Alan and Lori Wood of Modesto; a daughter, Denise Lynn Wood of Virginia Beach, Virginia; two grandchildren;
and a sister, Lila Wood Shockley of London, England. Remembrances should be sent to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1663,
Modesto, Calif. 95353; or the California-Hawaii Elks Major Project for Disabled Children, 5450 E. Lamona Ave., Fresno,
Calif. 93727.
Yamamoto Shizuo 950912 p5
Shizuo Yamamoto, 72; A longtime Patterson resident and farmer, Shizuo "Jimmy" Yamamoto died last Wednesday at doctors
Medical center in Modesto. He was 72. A native of San Dimas, Calif., he had lived here for 37 years and had retired from
farming. He was a member of the California Farm Bureau. A service was held Saturday morning at the Stockton Buddhist
Temple. A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Covina. Hillview Funeral
chapel here is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include two brothers and two sisters-in laws, Shig Yamamoto and
Mitsuye Yamamoto, both of Patterson, and Michio and Madeline Yamamoto, both of Los Angeles; sister Hisako Shishido
of Los Angeles, and sister and brother-in-law Kimiko and Zen Mukai, both of Pomona; 14 nieces and nephews, and 18 great-
nieces and nephews.
Ybarra Pedro U 951219 p3
Pedro U. Ybarra, 59; Final rites were held late last week for former Patterson resident Pedro U. Ybarra. He died Dec. 10
at his home in Modesto. He was 59. He lived in Patterson from the mid-1960s until the early 1980s. He worked for the
Southern Pacific Railroad for 10 years and was a drummer in a band that played in this area for many years. He was a
member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, where a Mass was held Friday morning. Burial in Ceres Cemetery followed.
Survivors include his wife, Julia Ybarra of Modesto; a son, Pete Ybarra Jr. of Modesto; two daughters, Maria Navarro and
Elma Ybarra, both of Modesto; four grandchildren; four sisters, Severa Gloria and Celia Ybarra, both of Modesto, Maria
Domingues of Pampa, Texas, and Maria Louisa Castillo of Amarillo; and two brothers, Jovito Ybarra of Plainview, Texas,
and Victor Garcia of Houston. Remembrances should be sent to the Pete Ybarra Trust Fund, Farmers and Merchants Bank
account number 3270862919, 901 N. Carpenter Rd., Modesto, Calif. 95351.
Zugnoni Laura R 950815 p3
Laura Ruby Zugnoni, 77; A funeral service was held here Monday for longtime Patterson resident, Laura Ruby Zugnoni
She died last Thursday at Memorial North Hospital in Modesto following a long illness. She was 77. Born in Modesto, she
had lived here the past 30 years. She was a homemaker. As a teenager she was queen, of Patterson's first two Horsethief
Bend rodeo celebrations in 1934 and 1935. A service was held Monday morning at. Hillview Funeral Chapel in Patterson.
Burial followed in Patterson District Cemetery. Survivors include two sisters, Rose Sandberg and Hazel Millen, both of
Patterson. Remembrances should be sent to the Del Puerto Hospital Auxiliary, P.O. Box 187, Patterson.